Patient tolerance of in-office pulsed dye laser treatments to the upper aerodigestive tract.

Introduction: Recent advances in technology have facilitated a movement toward unsedated in-office treatment of laryngeal, tracheal, and esophageal lesions. The objective of this study was to determine patient tolerance of in-office pulsed-dye laser (PDL) treatment of upper aerodigestive tract pathoses via the transnasal esophagoscope.

Methods: Three hundred twenty-eight unsedated in-office PDL cases were performed at a university-based tertiary referral center in 131 patients. These procedures were performed for various upper aerodigestive pathoses, including recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, chronic granulomas, and recurrent leukoplakia. Eighty-nine subjects completed a phone survey concerning their discomfort level after the PDL procedure. They were also asked specific questions about recovery time, pain medication, and preference of operating room versus in-office procedures.

Results: The average comfort score was 7.4 (10 being minimal discomfort). Eighty-four percent did not use any pain medication; 87% stated that, if possible, they would prefer to undergo unsedated in-office procedures rather than surgeries under general anesthesia for further treatment of their upper aerodigestive tract pathosis.

Conclusions: Unsedated transnasal treatment of upper aerodigestive tract pathoses is readily accepted and well-tolerated by otolaryngology patients. Patients overwhelmingly prefer the in-office PDL over surgeries under general anesthesia.

Ebm Rating: C-4.