The utility of the potassium titanyl phosphate laser in modulating vocal fold scar in a rat model.

Objectives/hypothesis: We hypothesize that the KTP laser has the potential to augment wound healing in a rat model, and this modality may serve as a therapeutic tool for the management of vocal fold fibrosis.

Study Design: Prospective, laboratory animal study.

Methods: Rats were subjected to either vocal fold injury ± KTP laser treatment at low energy to simulate clinically relevant endpoints. In addition, cohorts were subjected to therapeutic KTP laser alone. Endpoints included the analyses of gene expression data related to the acute inflammatory response and extracellular matrix deposition and organization.

Results: Therapeutic KTP treatment was associated with an additive effect on inflammatory gene expression in the context of the injured rat vocal fold mucosa. A similar additive effect was observed for matrix metalloproteinase gene expression, similar to data previously reported in the dermatology literature. However, histologically, the KTP had little effect on established vocal fold fibrosis.

Conclusions: These data are the first to attempt to provide mechanistic insight into the clinical utility of angiolytic lasers for vocal fold scar. Similar to previous data obtained in the skin, it appears that these effects are mediated by MMPs.