Publication:

Multiple laser puncture for Reinke’s edema: surgical outcome and voice assessment

Background The two important principles in Reinke’s edema treatment are minimal intervention and superficial resection with evacuation the edema and preservation the medial edge of the vocal fold to improve the voice quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel surgical technique in treatment of Reinke’s edema and its effect on subjective and quantitative voice characteristics. The study design was a prospective clinical series.

Methods We evaluated 67 patients from 19 to 73 years (mean, 47.7 years) with Reinke’s edema. The patients were divided into 3 types, mild, moderate and sever. Clinical voice assessment was composed of stroboscopy, subjective voice evaluation (GRBAS hoarseness scale) and quantitative voice evaluation were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. All patients underwent endolaryngeal CO2 laser puncturing for treatment of Reinke’s edema.

Results 67 patients diagnosed as Reinke’s edema were classified by H. Yonekawa classification into three types. Type I 25 (37.3%) patients, type II 30 (44.8%), type III 12 (17.9%). Out of 67 patients, fifty two (77.6%) were smoker. In all the patients, the laryngostrobscopic findings showed an improvement of mucosal wave patterns with little vocal fold scaring. Significant vocal improvement was also noted in subjective and objective voice assessments.

Conclusions The laser puncture technique is safe, effective and less invasive to treat Reinke’s edema with significant improvement in vocal performance after surgery.