Experiences with the carbon dioxide laser in the larynx.

Abstract

Techniques for the application of the carbon dioxide laser to laryngeal surgery are outlined and include operative and anesthetic management. Laser surgery teaches improved surgical judgment in and application of conventional procedures. The lack of trauma, the degree of precision and the speed of healing as seen in one year of experience indicate the results of laser surgery to be superior to conventional techniques in the treatment of papilloma, polyps, polypoid degeneration, hyperkeratosis and carcinoma in situ. A family of laryngeal retractors is introduced whose utilization with intralaryngeal mirrors makes essentially all areas of the larynx accessible for lasing.