In this special issue of the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) journal entitled Lasers in Otolaryngology, we attempted to cover and accommodate different experiences from around the globe on both established and some not so well-known techniques and indications for Lasers in most ENT subspecialties.
This study compared Coblation and diode laser tonsillectomy regarding operative time, blood loss, postoperative pain, and complications in 62 patients in Baghdad, Iraq. Each patient underwent both procedures, one on each side. Coblation showed significantly lower operative time and blood loss. However, diode laser resulted in significantly less postoperative pain at 3 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days. Thus, Coblation is advantageous for shorter surgery and less bleeding, while diode laser is preferred for reducing postoperative pain.
The 445 nm "blue laser" has expanded the range of phonosurgical interventions, overcoming limitations of pulse dye and KTP lasers. It shows similar tissue effects to KTP lasers, treats subepithelial vessels, and functions as a cutting laser. Advantages include portability, variable pulse rates, stronger tissue effects, and better cutting properties. The blue laser is effective in both office and operating room settings, with potential applications in laryngology and other surgical fields. Preliminary experiments and clinical cases demonstrate its feasibility, though further systematic studies are needed.