Reliability and efficacy of a new CO₂ laser hollow fiber: a prospective study of 39 patients

We present the first series of patients treated by transoral laser surgery (TLS) using the new AcuPulse 40WG CO₂ laser with the FiberLase flexible waveguide (CO₂ LWG) (Lumenis, Santa Clara, CA) with the objective to test its reliability and efficacy. Patients older than 18 years, with oral, pharyngo-laryngeal or tracheal benign or premalignant lesions were enrolled after signing an informed consent. This prospective study was conducted between October 2010 and May 2011 in two tertiary care university hospitals. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 47.9 years (range 18–86 years). There were 21 women and 18 men. Thirteen patients had hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue (palatine and or lingual), nine patients had granulomas, four patients had an exudative glottic lesion, three patients had severe dysplasia (glottic and supraglottic), three patients had leukoplakia, two patients had glottal cysts, two patients had laryngeal papilloma, two patients had bilateral paralysis of the vocal folds and one patient suffered from spasmodic dysphonia. Eighty-two percent of the procedures were performed under general anesthesia with laryngo-tracheal intubation. The CO₂ fiber passed through a handpiece was used with a microscope in the majority of the procedures. The laser delivery mode parameter used was: SuperPulse or Continuous Wave. Power levels were 3–15 Watts (W), continuous delivery. Each procedure utilized one CO₂ fiber which performed adequately throughout the procedure. No complications were noted with the use of this technology. A bipolar cautery was needed to control bleeding in eight procedures; all these procedures were tonsillectomies. The CO₂ LWG is a safe and reliable tool for TLS. It is durable enough to last through the entire surgical procedure without the need for replacement. Its use must be tailored depending on the type and location of the lesion, the CO₂ lasers tissue effects as well as the surgeon’s experience.