Awake Blue Light vs. KTP Laser Treatment for Vocal Fold Lesions: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
R Jun Lin, Peter Y F Zeng, Patrick MacInnis et al.
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In 30 seconds
This parallel-group, open-label randomised controlled trial compared office-based 445-nm blue light (BL) laser with 532-nm potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser for benign vocal fold lesions in adults. Ninety-eight patients were enrolled, 49 per group. Voice Handicap Index-10 scores improved in both groups at postoperative days 7, 30 and 90; the reported changes were -5.98, -9.28 and -12.43, respectively, with no between-group difference (p = 0.596). Pain and stroboscopic outcomes were also similar, supporting comparable clinical outcomes for the two laser approaches.
Key findings
- VHI-10 scores improved at postoperative days 7 (-5.98), 30 (-9.28) and 90 (-12.43) in both groups (all p ≤ 0.001).
- The between-group difference in VHI-10 change was not significant (p = 0.596).
- Pain decreased over time (p < 0.001), with no difference between laser groups (p = 0.47).
- At day 90, complete vocal fold closure was 91.2% with BL and 85.7% with KTP (p = 0.74); normal mucosal wave rates were 79.4% and 81.0%, respectively, without significant differences.
Why it matters
Office-based laser treatment is used for benign vocal fold lesions, and this trial found similar voice improvement, pain reduction and stroboscopic outcomes with BL and established KTP treatment. These comparative results help characterise BL as an alternative approach while indicating that the study did not demonstrate superior outcomes for either laser.
What to keep in mind
The trial was open-label, and follow-up outcomes were reported through 90 days.