Transoral CO2 Laser Surgery of Supraglottic Cancer

Hong, Jong Chul; Lee, Kang Dae; Yu, Tae Hyun; Lee, Hwan Ho; Kim, Joo Yeon; Kim, Sung Won; Han, Young Jin; Kim, Woo Sung; Lee, Jae Hoon

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic supraglottic laryngectomy by CO2 laser for selected T1-T3 supraglottic cancer results in improved postoperative function and decreased morbidity, with comparable survival to open surgery. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate oncologic and functional outcomes after transoral CO2 laser surgery for supraglottic cancers.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Nineteen patients (Fresh group:13 patients, Radiotherapy failure group:6 patients) who were diagnosed as supraglottic cancer and treated with CO2 laser surgery between December, 1999 and September, 2006 were evaluated. All the patients were followed-up more than 12 months. Eleven patients in the Fresh group underwent neck dissection.
RESULTS
Ultimate local control rate was 100% for both Fresh group and RT failure group. Survival rates of 3-year and 5-year for the Fresh group and the RT failure group were 100% and 68.6%, and 75% and 50%, respectively. There were no significant postoperative complications.
CONCLUSION
Although our experience with supraglottic cancers treated by transoral CO2 laser surgery is still too limited to confirm the definite oncologic and functional results, transoral CO2 laser surgery seems to be a safe and reasonable tool, and a time and cost-effective alternative to the traditional surgery for selected supraglottic cancers.