Value and utility of 532 nanometre pulsed potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser in endoscopic laryngeal surgery

Objectives: Recently, the 532 nm pulsed potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser has emerged as an effective angiolytic laser for treating mucosal lesions of the larynx in the operating theatre and clinic. We sought to assess the current impact of potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser on our laryngeal surgery practice. Study design: Retrospective review of 710 patients undergoing endoscopic laryngeal surgery over a one-year period. Methods: Medical records of the endoscopic laryngeal procedures were reviewed; 386/710 had been performed in the clinic and 324/710 in the operating theatre under general anaesthesia. Indications for the procedures were classified by pathology. Results: Pulsed potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser was used in 209/386 clinic procedures. The indications for these procedures were: dysplasia (114/209 procedures), papillomatosis (89/209), varices or ectasia (three of 209), and 'other' (three of 209). Pulsed potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser was used in 178/324 operating theatre endoscopic laryngeal procedures. The indications for these procedures were: cancer (54/178 procedures), dysplasia (52/178), papillomatosis (38/178), varices or ectasia (13/178), polyps (six of 178), nodules (six of 178), stenosis ( five of 178), granulation (three of 178), and amyloid (one of 178). Conclusions: Due to its versatility, the 532 nm pulsed potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser is our most commonly utilised instrument for performing endoscopic laryngeal surgery.