Treatment of subglottic hemangioma with the carbon dioxide laser.

Congenital subglottic hemangioma is a potentially life-threatening lesion usually presenting in the first three months of life. Over the years, multiple treatment modalities have been advocated. However, none has been uniformly successful, and morbidity and mortality remain high. With the advent of the carbon dioxide surgical laser, it soon became apparent that this was an ideal tool for the pediatric larynx. The already documented properties of the laser have led to the application of this form of tissue destruction in 11 patients with subglotic hemangioma. This modality has proven to be a safe, effective and rapid means of treating this troublesome lesion.