Indications and contraindications of minimally invasive laser surgery for laryngeal cancer

As early as the 1960s, laser surgery began to be used in the clinical treatment of laryngeal surgery, and the successful use of laser to treat laryngeal cancer began in 1972. A large number of clinical case reports on laser treatment of laryngeal cancer show that compared with traditional surgical operations, laser surgery has the advantages of less surgical trauma, no need for tracheotomy during surgery, faster postoperative recovery, better postoperative pronunciation quality, and lower costs. The oncological effect is also not significantly different from that of surgical operations.

At present, laser minimally invasive surgery for early laryngeal cancer is gradually being promoted at home and abroad. However, it should be noted that laser minimally invasive surgery for laryngeal cancer has its indications and contraindications.

Indications for minimally invasive laser surgery for laryngeal cancer

1. Laser microsurgery is suitable for patients with T1 and T2 glottic cancer.

2. Laser minimally invasive surgery is suitable for T1 supraglottic laryngeal cancer located above the epiglottis level at the hyoid bone.

3. Laser minimally invasive surgery is suitable for T1 supraglottic laryngeal cancer confined to the ventricular zone or arytenoid folds.

Contraindications of minimally invasive laser surgery for laryngeal cancer

1. Patients with laryngeal cancer whose laryngeal cartilage is affected are not suitable for minimally invasive laser surgery.

2. Patients with glottic laryngeal cancer that extends more than 5mm below the glottis or whose paraglottic space is affected are not suitable for laser minimally invasive surgery.

3. Patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer involving the epiglottic vallecula, pre-epiglottic space or tongue root are not suitable for laser minimally invasive surgery.