Comparative Efficacy of the KTP Laser and Cold Steel in Office-Based Surgery for Oropharyngeal Papilloma

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare the efficacy of the potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser and cold steel surgery in treating oropharyngeal papilloma. Methods: Between 2017 and 2020, we enrolled 242 patients with oropharyngeal papilloma who were treated with either the KTP laser (n = 160) or cold steel surgery (n = 82). Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data (age and gender), pathology, anatomical location of lesions, operative duration, pain rating, residual disease, and recurrence. Results: The oropharyngeal papillomas were successfully removed in all patients, except one with a significant pharyngeal reflex. There was no significant difference in the average time for lesion resection between KTP laser and cold steel group (18.11 ± 13.96 s vs 19.43 ± 16.91 s, P > .05). However, all patients who underwent cold steel surgery experienced bleeding during the operation and required postoperative observation (about 20 min), making the total procedure time longer than that of the KTP laser procedure, which did not cause any intraoperative bleeding or require postoperative observation. After KTP laser treatment, the pain rating was .49 ± .98, whereas after cold steel surgery, it was .74 ± 1.12 ( P = .058). Twenty-five samples were sent for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, and one tested positive for both HPV 6 and 11 strains, while another tested positive for HPV 16. No residual disease or recurrence was observed at the treatment sites after a long period of follow-up (M = 15.35 ± 10.79 mo; range = 6-39 mo). Conclusion: The KTP laser provided a better hemostasis effect and a good surgical field of vision during the operation, allowing the surgeon to complete the procedure in less time. No significant difference in terms of pain rating, incision recovery, and postoperative recurrence between the KTP laser treatment and cold steel surgery.