Diode Laser for Juvenile Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Case Series of 13 Patients

Juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JRRP) is the most common benign tumor in the larynx. It is uncommon; however, it is potentially life-threatening because it compromises the respiratory tract and required several surgeries to manage recurrences. Currently, the carbon dioxide laser is the treatment of choice. There are no studies about the role of the diode laser which is easy to use and has lower usage cost. This case series presentation reported on the therapeutic effects and recurrence rate of JRRP when using Diode laser. This is a case series presentation of 13 children, who were diagnosed with JRRP and operated for laryngeal papillomatosis with Diode laser in Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Nick Surgery Department et al. Mouwasat Hospital, Damascus, Syria between 2015 and 2022. 13 children required 56 surgeries at a rate of 1-2 surgeries/year, mean number of surgeries for each child was 4.31. That suggests that Diode laser might have a role in reducing the number of surgeries compared to a study used cold instrument and CO2 laser. The complications rate was 30.8%, which is considered a high rate compared to the other studies. In conclusion, we encourage using it when the CO2 laser device is not available. However, we suggest, reducing the power as low as possible and avoiding of two opposing raw surfaces, especially at the anterior commissure and deep excision. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to validate these results.

Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics associated with disease severity in juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: A study of 104 patients in a tertiary care pediatric hospital

BACKGROUND

Juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JRRP) is generally aggressive and with a high recurrence rate. Currently, there is no definite curative treatment for JRRP. Therefore, a greater understanding of the aspects that influence the severity and prognosis of the disease is required.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to establish the clinical and socioeconomic characteristics of pediatric patients with JRRP and its relationship with the severity of the disease in a tertiary care pediatric hospital.

RESULTS

A strong relationship was observed between the severity of the disease and the age at the time of diagnosis, and having a tracheostomy. A moderate association was found between the severity of the disease and the age at the time of the study, the area of origin and the recurrence rate. None of the socioeconomic statuses had a correlation with the severity of the JRRP.

CONCLUSIONS

JRRP is associated with multiple surgeries due to the recurrence and aggressiveness of the disease. The socioeconomic status does not seem to influence the severity of the disease, whereas younger patients and users of tracheostomy should receive a more strict follow-up given the increased risk of severe disease.