Use of erbium laser in the treatment of persistent post-radiotherapy laryngeal edema: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract Background Post-radiotherapy laryngeal edema may affect the patients’ quality of life, leading to repeated treatment attempts, which include massage/physical therapy, inhalations, and/or tracheostomy. Case presentation We report the surgical treatment approach of a 69-year-old patient with...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Aris I. Giotakis, Claus Pototschnig
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-08-01
Series:World Journal of Surgical Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12957-018-1480-9
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Post-radiotherapy laryngeal edema may affect the patients’ quality of life, leading to repeated treatment attempts, which include massage/physical therapy, inhalations, and/or tracheostomy. Case presentation We report the surgical treatment approach of a 69-year-old patient with severe persistent post-radiotherapy laryngeal edema. After multiple inpatient admissions and failed conservative therapy, we used the erbium laser to treat the arytenoid edema. After repeated procedures, no complications were observed. The patient remained free of symptoms after 30 months of follow-up. Conclusions The authors provide an easy-to-perform, safe, and quick surgical technique without non-severe or severe complications. Using this technique repeatedly, complications from excessive thermal damage with CO2 laser or unpleasant solutions such as tracheostomy can be avoided.
ISSN:1477-7819