Pulse dye and other laser treatments for vocal scar

Abstract

Vocal fold scar is a challenging clinical problem, resulting in a spectrum of voice-related complaints. While there are a variety of treatment options available, it is rare to obtain outcomes similar to the perfectly normal voice. The pulsed dye and other lasers are an emerging treatment option for cutaneous scar and have shown promise for the treatment of vocal fold scarring. The purpose of this review is to summarize the theory, and describe clinical outcomes from both cutaneous and vocal fold scarring treated with lasers. There are a growing number of papers in the literature substantiating the use of pulsed dye and other lasers used to treat cutaneous scars. Some experimental models describe potential mechanisms of laser effect, which include the development of a sub-basement membrane cleavage plane, as well as up-regulation of proteins which may actively modulate continued fibrosis. One prospective pilot study of 11 patients with vocal fold scarring treated with the pulsed dye laser has also shown statistically significant improvement in subjective and objective voice measures, as well as laryngeal stroboscopy findings after treatment. The pulsed dye and other lasers have shown effectiveness and potential in treating cutaneous and vocal scarring.