Serial endoscopic analysis of the glottis following laser cordectomy: from an oncological perspective

A Modified Approach for Preventing Anterior Glottic Web Formation Using Mitomycin C in Bilateral Vocal Fold Lesions

Objectives: Laryngeal keel insertion, mucosal suture, application of mitomycin-C (MMC), and staged operations are approaches to prevent the anterior glottic web, but there are limitations. Our study suggests a modified approach to prevent the formation of an anterior glottic web. Methods: This retrospective single-institution tertiary center study (N = 23) involved the simultaneous removal of bilateral vocal fold lesions with topical MMC application. If exudate was identified after 4 to 6 weeks, second laryngomicroscopic surgery (LMS) was performed to remove it with topical MMC application. Extent of anterior glottic web was measured as a percentage of the total length of the membranous vocal fold. Results: After the initial surgery, 18 patients recovered without anterior web or fibrin exudate. Thick exudate was observed in 5 patients. After the second LMS, all patients showed improvement and did not develop anterior web. Conclusion: This modified method has been developed to prevent the anterior glottic web without complications.

Transcutaneous injection of triamcinolone acetonide for persistent glottic granulation after laser microsurgery

OBJECTIVE

The aim of study was to demonstrate that transcutaneous intralesional injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (TA) under fibrolaryngoscopy could be an option for persistent granulation after Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) in glottic cancer patients.

METHODS

We recruited 32 patients, who had conservative treatment but failed. 20 patients accepted TA injection monthly until the granulation disappeared or did not shrink further. 12 patients chose to closely monitor.

RESULTS

For the 20 patients, 17 (85.0%) patients' granulations completely disappeared. 3 (15.0%) patients' granulations had reduced 80%. For the 12 patients, 3 (25.0%) patients' granulations disappeared but 9 (75%) patients' granulations did not have an obvious change. Recurrence was not observed.

CONCLUSION

Our experience showed that transcutaneous intralesional TA injection for persistent granulation after TLM through cricothyroid membrane is an efficient, security, harmless and low recurrence method. Especially suitable for huge granulation which blocks the glottis and recur after a second operation.

Healing after transoral carbon dioxide laser surgery for early glottic cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of granulation tissue after endoscopic carbon dioxide laser surgery for glottic cancer.

METHOD

This was a retrospective review of 36 patients who underwent endoscopic carbon dioxide laser surgery for T₁ and T₂ glottic cancer. Post-operative, endoscopic examinations were rated by three blinded otolaryngologists for time to heal and presence of granulation. Patient and surgical factors were compared with time to heal and granulation.

RESULTS

A total of 16 of 36 wounds (44 per cent) developed granulation tissue, and 24 wounds (67 per cent) healed without requiring surgical intervention. A total of 7 of 8 wounds biopsied more than 3.5 months after surgery had persistent cancer versus 1 of 4 wounds biopsied at equal to or less than 3.5 months (85.7 per cent vs 25 per cent; p = 0.03). Biopsy at more than 3.5 months was associated with 28-fold increased odds of cancer in biopsy compared with biopsy at equal to or less than 3.5 months (odds ratio, 28.0; 95 per cent confidence interval, 1.088-373.3).

CONCLUSION

After carbon dioxide laser surgery for glottic cancer, development of granulation tissue is common. Granulation that persists for more than 3.5 months necessitates biopsy because of increased risk of persistent cancer.

Preliminary dynamic observation of wound healing after low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation for laryngeal leukoplakia

BACKGROUND

Low-temperature plasma ablation (LTPA) is an emerging technique for laryngeal leukoplakia (LL).

OBJECTIVE

To initially observe the healing process of trauma after LTPA for LL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventeen patients who underwent LTPA for LL were collected, and the degrees of wound healing were analyzed.

RESULTS

Only 1 patient in who dysbiosis of the pharyngeal flora was induced by self-administered hormone nebulization treatment during the follow-up period. In the remaining patients, the wound healing was characterized by a crater-shaped defect on the vocal folds surface with pseudo-membranes, congestion, and mild edema on postoperative day 1. These symptoms became worse on postoperative day 7. On postoperative day 15, the pseudo-membrane was fully formed and some patients had granulomatous swelling of the vocal cords. These symptoms became better and better on postoperative day 30 and day 45. On postoperative day 60, the mucosa of the vocal folds had essentially returned to normal. On postoperative day 90, the vocal folds morphology and function had recovered well.

CONCLUSION

It takes 2-3 months for the wound to heal completely after LTPA for LL.

SIGNIFICANCE

A proper understanding of the wound healing process can reduce unnecessary surgical and pharmacologic interventions and avoid excessive treatment.

Wound healing after transoral angiolytic laser surgery for early glottic carcinoma

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Wound healing after transoral angiolytic laser surgery for early glottic carcinoma was analyzed to identify factors influencing healing and clinical significance of persistent granulation tissue.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic angiolytic laser surgery for T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma was performed. Patients with prior radiation or incomplete data were excluded. Postoperative endoscopic images were analyzed for time to healing, size and location of wound, and presence of granulation tissue. Three blinded, independent raters graded wound appearance and presence of granulation tissue.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients healed without need for intervention at a median of 3.5 months. Two patients had office-based ablation of granulation without biopsy and healed. The remaining 19 patients had biopsy for granulation tissue. Wounds that underwent biopsy at >3 months were more likely to contain carcinoma (5/6 patients, 83%) than wounds that were biopsied <3 months (2/13 patients, 15%) (P = .004). Presence of granulation significantly correlated with resection involving anterior commissure (P = .01), > 75%vocal fold length (P = .006), and depth into muscle (P = .001). Delayed healing (>3 months) correlated with T2b tumors (P = .02), depth into ligament (P = .002) and anterior commissure involvement (P = .04). T1a carcinomas more commonly healed in <3 months (P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

Many vocal fold wounds heal completely within 3.5 months after angiolytic laser surgery for early glottic carcinoma. Larger and deeper wounds are more likely to heal with granulation tissue. Granulation can resolve without surgical intervention; however, granulation present > 3 months warrants biopsy due to increased risk of malignancy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 129:435-440, 2019.

Oncological Outcomes Following Transoral CO2 Laser Microsurgery for T1 Glottic Cancer

The objective of this study is to analyze oncological outcomes for treatment of Tis and T1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma after transoral laser microsurgery. This study is retrospective analysis of previously untreated, suspected lesion of glottis, staged cT1a and cT1b squamous cell carcinoma in a tertiary care hospital and 53 patients were included in the study. End points for analysis were local control, overall and disease specific survival rates. The local control, ultimate local control with laser alone, 3-year overall survival, 3-year disease specific survival and organ preservation rates were 86.7, 90.5, 92.4, 98.1 and 98.1% respectively. The involvement of anterior commissure did not show any significant impact on local control or survival. TLM is safe and effective treatment of early glottis cancer, associated with less morbidity and a high percentage of local control, survival and organ preservation rates.

Healing process following laser cordectomy of early glottis carcinoma from endoscopic view

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Transoral laser surgery is useful for treating early glottic carcinoma. Wound areas after carbon dioxide (CO2 ) laser surgery are not covered by flaps, delaying healing. The healing process following laser cordectomy is not well understood. In this study, laryngoscopes were used to monitor the normal healing process after laser cordectomy and to determine if there was residual or recurrent disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective case study included 36 patients who underwent CO2 laser surgery for early glottis carcinoma between January 2011 and June 2014 at a university tertiary referral center. Postoperative complications, oncologic results, and mucosal stabilization time were analyzed. Vocal fold stabilization was defined as an absence of gross changes during two consecutive follow-up examinations.

RESULTS

The 3-year overall survival rate was 100% and the 3-year local control rate was 94%. Vocal cord stabilization was observed in 29 patients at a mean 88.1 days, with stabilization associated with the type of cordectomy (P < 0.05). During the wound-healing process, two patients experienced local recurrences. One had a persistent white patch for over 4 months and the other presented with a new mass in a non-operated area. Biopsies of both lesions showed recurrent disease. Postoperative complications included granulation in two patients and anterior commissure adhesion in one.

CONCLUSION

CO2 laser microsurgery is an effective treatment for early glottis carcinoma. Close attention should be paid to delays in healing process after laser surgery. Interventions should be considered for patients with abnormal laryngoscopic appearance or overly prolonged healing. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:483-489, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Clinical significance of granulation tissue after transoral laser microsurgery for glottic cancer

Background:

Granulation tissue after transoral laser microsurgery can make it difficult to distinguish between normal healing and tumour recurrence.

Materials and methods:

We carried out a retrospective analysis of 316 consecutive glottic carcinomas (Tis–T3). Presence of granulation tissue at one and six months was correlated with demographic and clinical data, tumour and surgical characteristics, and tumour relapse.

Results:

Granulation tissue appeared in 53.8 per cent of patients at month 1, resolving spontaneously in 41.8 per cent. Revision surgery was performed in 60.1 per cent and was effective in 41.1 per cent. At month 6, 14.9 per cent of patients presented with granulation tissue. In 74.5 per cent the tissue was surgically removed and was positive for malignancy in 62.9 per cent. Tumour relapse presented in 29.4 per cent with granulation tissue at month 1 and in 61.7 per cent at month 6 (p= 0.000). Granulation tissue at month 1 correlated with thyroid cartilage exposure and continued smoking. At month 6, granulation tissue correlated with thyroid cartilage exposure, the affected surgical margins and diabetes.

Conclusion:

Granulation tissue after transoral laser microsurgery is frequent. When it persists at six months, revision surgery is formally recommended.