Tonsil-related complaints are very common among the adult population. Tonsillectomy under general anesthesia is currently the most performed surgical treatment in adults for such complaints. Unfortunately, tonsillectomy is an invasive treatment associated with a high complication rate and a long recovery time. Complications and a long recovery time are mostly related to removing the vascular and densely innervated capsule of the tonsils. Recently, CO 2 -lasertonsillotomy under local anesthesia has been demonstrated to be a viable alternative treatment for tonsil-related disease with a significantly shorter and less painful recovery period. The milder side-effect profile of CO 2 -lasertonsillotomy is likely related to leaving the tonsil capsule intact. The aim of the current report is to present a concise protocol detailing the execution of CO 2 -lasertonsillotomy under local anesthesia. This intervention has been performed successfully in our hospital in more than 1,000 patients and has been found to be safe and to be associated with a steep learning curve.
Tonsil-related complaints are very common among the adult population. Tonsillectomy under general anesthesia is currently the most performed surgical treatment in adults for such complaints. Unfortunately, tonsillectomy is an invasive treatment associated with a high complication rate and a long recovery time. Complications and a long recovery time are mostly related to removing the vascular and densely innervated capsule of the tonsils. Recently, CO 2 -lasertonsillotomy under local anesthesia has been demonstrated to be a viable alternative treatment for tonsil-related disease with a significantly shorter and less painful recovery period. The milder side-effect profile of CO 2 -lasertonsillotomy is likely related to leaving the tonsil capsule intact. The aim of the current report is to present a concise protocol detailing the execution of CO 2 -lasertonsillotomy under local anesthesia. This intervention has been performed successfully in our hospital in more than 1,000 patients and has been found to be safe and to be associated with a steep learning curve.
Video LinkThe video component of this article can be found at https://www.jove.com/video/59702/ 1. Ask the patient to inhale deeply, followed by breathing out slowly during treatment. 2. Explain to the patient that he/she is in control and can signal at any time, which will lead to a pause of the laser-treatment.
IMPORTANCE Carbon dioxide laser tonsillotomy performed under local anesthesia may be an effective and less invasive alternative than dissection tonsillectomy for treatment of tonsil-related afflictions.
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