Use of Coblation In Debulking Obstructing Laryngeal Tumors

Abstract

Background: Management of airway in cases of obstructing laryngeal tumors (OLT) is considered a challenging surgical problem. Tracheostomy can secure a patent airway; however, it was reported as a negative prognostic factor. Endolaryngeal debulking (ED) of these tumors, without doing tracheotomy, aims at ensuring a patent airway till starting the appropriate definitive treatment (DT). Coblation can induce localized molecular disintegration of the tissues with a low temperature. Therefore, it can be used safely in airway surgery with low risks of postoperative edema or scarringAim of Work:To study the safety of using temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation (coblation) in ED of OLT without doing tracheostomyMethod:This is an uncontrolled interventional prospective case series study that included 16 cases having OLT. All of them were prepared for coblation-assisted ED and biopsy. They were followed up till initiation of the DT.Results: From February 2023 until October 2023, 16 patients with OLT were first presented to our unit. 13 patients were intubated successfully and coblation-assisted ED without primary tracheostomy was done for them. Extubation was performed Successfully, without the need for re-intubation or tracheostomy, in 12 cases with coblation debulking success rate of 92.3%Conclusion: Using coblation in endolaryngeal debulking of obstructing laryngeal tumors is an effective surgical procedure to avoid temporary tracheostomy before initiation of the definitive treatment.