Endoscopic Ho laser interstitial therapy for pharyngolaryngeal venous malformations in adults

Many methods have been used to treat venous malformations, including sclerotherapy, laser therapy, and surgery. Nowadays, endoscopic laser surgery has become a popular therapeutic modality for most of pharyngolaryngeal venous malformations. There are various kinds of lasers that have been applied, but Holmium:YAG laser (Ho laser) has not been reported yet. Ho laser is produced by a kind of iraser which is made of yttrium aluminum garnet mixed with holmium, chromium and thulium. Aim of the current work is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ho laser interstitial therapy in pharyngolaryngeal venous malformations in adults. The clinical data of 42 patients with pharyngolaryngeal venous malformation treated with endoscopic Ho laser interstitial therapy over a 12-year period were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. The wave length of Ho laser was 2.1 µm and the diameter of optical fiber was 550 µm. The pulse energy was 0.5 J and the time of duration was 600 µs. The highest output power was 100 W. Outcomes were graded as cure (complete resolution), considerable reduction (>60–80 % reduction), and no obvious change (<50 % reduction). The lesions were well controlled without severe complications. Complete resolution of the lesion was observed in 95.1 % of the patients, while 4.9 % patients showed considerable reduction of the swelling. Complications occurred in 4.8 % of patients. No respiratory troubles or other severe complications occurred. Endoscopic Ho laser interstitial therapy is an effective and safe treatment modality for pharyngolaryngeal venous malformations in adults.