A new laser treatment for vocal cord papilloma--585-nm pulsed dye.

OBJECTIVES

Microvascular targeting with the 585- nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) may provide a new form of therapy to control symptoms caused by recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).

METHODS

Ten patients with RRP underwent 13 procedures under general anesthesia with the 585-nm PDL. A micromanipulator (11 procedures) and a flexible nasolaryngoscope (2 procedures) were used to deliver the laser pulses. Patients were followed postoperatively according to protocol.

RESULTS

Clinical examination revealed regression of papillomas in all patients. Seven patients had complete regression after PDL surgery, and 2 patients had partial response to treatment. One patient was lost to follow-up. No complications were present during this prospective nonrandomized pilot study.

CONCLUSION

Patients treated with PDL experienced regression of their papillomas. PDL may provide patients with RRP with an alternative treatment without the risks associated with CO(2) laser surgery. This procedure also has potential to be delivered on an outpatient basis with flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopes.