A Comparison of Surgical Outcomes of Carbon Dioxide Laser Versus Conventional Cold Instrument Excision of Benign Vocal Cord Lesions

Benign vocal fold lesions affect the vibratory function of the vocal folds and cause dysphonia. Surgical excision has been the mainstay of management of benign vocal fold lesions for decades. This study compares the surgical outcomes of cold instruments versus carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser excision of benign vocal fold lesions. A total of 49 cases diagnosed with benign vocal fold lesions were divided randomly to undergo excision either by conventional cold steel method or by CO₂ laser. The postoperative assessment of the groups was done by videostroboscopy, acoustic analysis and voice handicap index. There was a significant improvement (P value < 0.05) when preoperative values of the parameters were compared with postoperative values in the individual groups. However, there was no significant difference when the two groups were compared with each other in terms of outcomes. Both the surgical techniques provide good outcomes in management of benign vocal fold lesions and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.