Acute tissue damage induced by monopolar microelectrodes and radiofrequency in vocal cords after transoral cordectomy

INTRODUCTION: In 2006 and 2009, we reported the levels of acute and chronic tissue damage after cordectomy associated with use of the microlectrodes using high frequency energy. In 2010, we shifted to radiofrequency rather than high frequency electrogenerators. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate acute tissue damage in the larynx after cordectomy using microelectrodes coupled to a radiofrequencygenerator. METHODS: We studied 22 patients with a stage T1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma. The patients were randomly assigned to the two operating mode: cutting or coagulation (11 patients each mode). The strength of the study is that there are no previous studies on the effect of radiofrequency in human vocal cord. RESULTS: Tissue damage was milder when microelectrodes were coupled to a 4 MHz generator operating in the cutting mode. Thus, when using microelectrodes and radiofrequency, we recommend that the cutting mode be used for epithelial incision and the coagulation mode to treat the stroma and muscle and for final hemostasis. CONCLUSION: Microelectrodes and radiofrequency in transoral laryngeal surgery produced mild tissue damage and offer an excellent alternative to the use of high frequency energy.