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CO 2 Laser in Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis of Complications
Author(s) -
Ossoff Robert H.,
Hotaling Andrew J.,
Karlan Marc S.,
Sisson George A.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.1983.93.10.1287
Subject(s) - medicine , otorhinolaryngology , retrospective cohort study , surgery , laser surgery , laser safety , head and neck surgery , complication , head and neck , endotracheal tube , laser , general surgery , intubation , physics , optics
A retrospective review was conducted of all patients undergoing CO 2 laser surgery by members of the Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery at Northwestern University Medical School from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1981; 204 cases were identified and all are included in this report. Early in our department's experience with laser surgery, an endotracheal tube fire occurred. This incident precipitated a departmental review of complications associated with the use of the CO 2 laser and resulted in the formulation of a laser safety protocol. All patients in this group were treated under the directives of this protocol; the operative complication rate was low. This retrospective analysis of complications associated with the use of the CO 2 laser under a strictly applied protocol demonstrates the relative safety associated with judicious use of this instrument.