Phonatory outcome of 585 nm/pulsed-dye laser in the management of glottic leukoplakia.

OBJECTIVE

Vocal cord mucosectomy using pulsed-dye laser was assessed for its ability to completely remove lesions without deterioration of vocal quality in cases of vocal cord leukoplakia. To confirm the validity of a pulsed-dye laser, we retrospectively analyzed the treatment outcomes of patients who received surgery preceded by pulsed-dye laser and compared these with the outcomes of patients who received vocal cord mucosectomy using CO2 laser.

METHODS

Between February 2007 and June 2012, 36 patients were enrolled. Seventeen patients received vocal cord treatment with a CO2 laser and 19 patients received operation with a pulsed-dye laser. To evaluate voice status, acoustic wave form analysis and electroglottography were done, and voice handicap index was measured before and after the operation.

RESULTS

The entire lesion was removed in all patients. Compared to preoperative vocal parameters, the postoperative values for jitter were only improved in the pulsed-dye laser group. On stroboscopic findings, a diminution or lack of mucosal wave was observed in more CO2 laser cases than pulsed-dye laser cases. Significant improvement in voice handicap index results was only observed in the pulsed-dye laser group.

CONCLUSION

Although long-term results with more patients are required to establish the validity of pulsed-dye laser, this study confirmed the merits of pulsed-dye laser for the en-bloc removal of vocal cord leukoplakia and improved voice outcome.