Effects of stripping and laser excision on vocal fold mucosa in cats.

We compared the effects of stripping and laser excision on vocal fold mucosa in cats. Of particular interest were the comparative effects of each procedure on the mucosa's sensory structures. Mucosa was stripped from one vocal fold in three cats, lased in three additional cats, and histologically examined at 1-, 2-, and 3-week intervals postoperatively. Results indicate that both procedures produce unique and degenerative effects that are still apparent 3 weeks after operation; however, nervous elements in lased tissue samples appeared less disrupted than in stripped tissue. Unique effects on the composition of epithelial tissue also were noted for the two procedures. Implications for voice quality in human patients undergoing similar procedures are discussed.