Exploring Benign Vocal Cord Polyp Treatment: A Holistic Analysis of Plasma Ablation and Laser Excision Phonosurgery Practices Incorporating Subjective, Objective, and Videostroboscopic Assessments.

Abstract

Surgical techniques for benign vocal cord lesions, such as vocal cord polyps, have witnessed rapid technological advancements. It is imperative for developing nations like India to keep pace with this evolving technology. Our study compares two recently introduced modalities of vocal cord polyp treatment, assessing both subjective and objective outcomes. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Northern India, enrolling 20 patients in the laser excision group and another 20 in the plasma ablation group for the treatment of benign vocal cord polyps. The study involved detailed subjective assessments using the GRBAS scale and VHI tools, along with objective measurements using Maximum Phonation Time (MPT). Additionally, Videostroboscopy was also performed for all patients both before and after the surgical procedure. Thorough assessment of the GRBAS score and VHI revealed substantial improvement postoperatively (p < 0.0001) in vocal cord polyp patients undergoing both laser and plasma ablation. Notably, laser ablation demonstrated superior subjective improvement compared to plasma. (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, aerodynamic evaluations, such as MPT, exhibited enhancement in both subgroups following the procedure. Videostroboscopic findings indicated comparable improvements in both subgroups. Our study concluded that both microlaryngeal plasma ablation and laser excision are effective surgical modalities for managing vocal cord polyps. Both procedures led to improvements in subjective and objective outcomes, with patients expressing higher satisfaction levels with laser excision.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-025-05632-z.