Flexible Endoscopic Surgery for Benign Nonepithelial Lesions of the Larynx

AimsThe traditional approach for the management of benign laryngeal lesions is transoral microsurgery. In cases of anatomic particularities, such as insufficient cervical extension, short mandible, temporomandibular joint ankylosis etc., and contraindications for general anesthesia, transoral microsurgery is not possible. In such cases transnasal flexible endoscopic surgery under local anesthesia can be a relevant alternative. The purpose of the study was to assess the possibilities of flexible endoscopic management of benign nonepithelial lesions of the larynx.Materials and methods Flexible endoscopic surgical interventions were performed on 315 patients with different benign nonepithelial lesions of the larynx. The larynx pathology was represented by following lesions: myxoid polyp, polypoid degeneration of vocal folds, fibrous polyp, angiofibrous polyp, angiomatous polyp, nonspecific granuloma, cyst, lipoma, neurofibroma and amyloidosis. In 97,8% of the cases interventions were performed under local anesthesia with spontaneous respiration. In 88,6% of the cases interventions were performed as outpatient procedures.Results In all the cases the expected result was obtained - complete ablation of the visible lesion. In 7 cases repeated interventions were performed for recurrent lesions.Conclusion Flexible endoscopic surgery is an efficient method for the treatment of benign nonepithelial lesions of the larynx, that offers a relevant therapeutic alternative, especially for the patients who have contraindications for general anesthesia or transoral microsurgery. The advantages of the method, worthy of mentionning, are positive economic effect and time economy, the intervention being possible in an outpatient setting for the majority of patients.