Indirect microsurgery of the vocal folds--videostroboscopy vs. microstroboscopy.

In spite of the great significance of direct microlaryngeal surgery (DML), the inadequacies of this technique are evident. In order to avoid surgical trauma and introduce functional control during surgery, indirect microstroboscopic (IMS) and indirect videostroboscopic surgery (IVS) of the vocal folds are advocated. Both of these meet most criteria for surgical work in this field. The aim of this work was to make a comparative study of these techniques. The study is based on 603 operations conducted for benign lesions of the vocal folds. We are of the opinion that indirect vocal fold surgery for small benign lesions has significant advantages when compared with the conventional microlaryngoscopy, including laser surgery, which was proven elsewhere. When comparing these two indirect surgical approaches, the principal advantages of IVS surgery over the IMS method are easier surgical manipulation and better view. With respect to other areas of comparison, these techniques are quite similar. As complementary methods to conventional microlaryngoscopy, we believe that both IVS and IMS surgery should be used in practice.