Transoral Carbon Dioxide Microsurgery of the Larynx as a Day-Case Outpatient Procedure: An Observational, Retrospective, Single-Center Study.

Chiesa-Estomba, Carlos M; Sistiaga Suarez, Jon A; Ninchritz-Becerra, Elisabeth; Soriano-Reixach, Maria; González-García, Jose A; Larruscain, Ekhiñe; Altuna, Xabier

INTRODUCTION Despite good results of transoral laser CO2 microsurgery (CO2TOLMS) of the larynx, a lack of data related to the safety of this technique as a day-case procedure across the literature is evident. MATERIALS AND METHODS An observational, retrospective, non-randomized study. RESULTS One hundred four (62.6%) patients met the inclusion criteria, 96 (92.3%) patients were male, and 8 (7.7%) patients were female. The mean age of the study group was 66 ± 11 years (min: 34/max: 90). All the patients underwent CO2TOLMS were treated as an outpatient procedure. The glottis was the most common location affecting 97 (93.3%) patients, regarding the need of readmission, just 4 (3.8%) patients needed to be readmitted after surgery due to dyspnea secondary to laryngeal edema in 2 cases by laryngeal bleeding, and cervical emphysema in one case, respectively. Being just necessary to reintubate 1 patient (<1%) to control the bleeding. We didn't find any statistical correlation between variables and the need for readmission of reintubation. CONCLUSION According to our results, CO2TOLMS of the larynx can be safely performed as an outpatient procedure. To establish a proper protocol and to perform a careful preoperative assessment are essential to increase our success rate and to prevent any potential complication.