Objective: To compare the complications in transoral CO2 and Nd:YAG laser surgery for the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of 83 cases of glottic laryngeal carcinoma treated with laser surgery from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2008 was carried out. Thirty-two cases were treated with the CO2 laser, including Tis (2 cases), T1N0M0 (21 cases), T2N0M0 (8 cases), and T3N0M0 (1 case). Fifty-one cases were treated with the Nd:YAG laser, including Tis (3 cases), T1N0M0 (36 cases), T1N2M0 (3 cases), and T2N0M0 (9 cases).
Results: Four complications (12.5%) occurred in the CO2 laser group. There was 1 local infection (3.1%), 1 numbness of the tongue (3.1%), 1 odontoseisis (3.1%), and 1 subcutaneous emphysema (3.1%). Twenty-seven complications (52.9%) occurred in 19 patients in the Nd:YAG laser group. There were postoperative bleeding 2 (3.9%), dyspnea 5 (9.8%), local infection 7 (13.7%), aspiration pneumonia 4 (7.8%), numbness of the tongue 2(3.9%), pharyngeal cutaneous fistula 1 (2.0%), vocal cord fixation 4 (7.8%), and laryngostenosis 2 (3.9%).
Conclusion: More complications were observed in the patients with Nd:YAG laser surgery when compared to the patients with CO2 laser surgery.