A Study of Management of Benign Lesions of the Larynx

Abstract

ABSTRACTA two-year prospective study was conducted from June 2008 to May 2010. A total of 80 patients with benign laryngeal lesions were included in the study based on symptoms, such as hoarseness of voice, foreign body sensation, vocal fatigue, dyspnea and cough and with positive clinical findings on indirect laryngoscopy. Diagnostic and therapeutic laryngoscopic and microlarygoscopic procedures were employed. Vocal cord polyps were observed to be the commonest type of lesions. Out of the 80 patients in the study group, 40% patients got complete relief with voice rest and vocal rehabilitation; 60% patients required surgery, which included endoscopic/microlarygoscopic endolaryngeal surgery and external approaches. There was no recurrence in cases of vocal polyps and nodules during the period of observation. Endolaryngeal surgery and voice rest offer a cost-effective, useful and safe method for the management of benign laryngeal lesions. With the inclusion of lasers, they can be more precisely operated. As such, the standard treatment of choice in all types of benign tumors of the larynx should consist of a triad of approach by microlaryngeal surgery (either microscopic or endoscopic, with or without use of lasers), voice rest and vocal rehabilitation.