Radiofrequency coblation for the resection of head and neck malignancies

Abstract

Objective

To review the safety and efficacy of the use of radiofrequency coblation for endoscopic resection of upper aero-digestive tract malignancies and to compare length of procedures using coblation with CO₂ laser surgery.

Study Design and Setting

A retrospective case-note review of 40 adult patients with endoscopically treated mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, 20 having undergone resection using radiofrequency coblation and being case-matched to 20 treated with CO₂ laser.

Results

Coblation proved to be an effective method for resection of selected head and neck malignancies. It allows for much faster resection times than the CO₂ laser (P = 0.017) especially in the oropharynx (P = 0.007), but the large probes currently available can cause problems in assessment of adequate resection margins.

Conclusions

Although current probe design limits the potential for resection of some tumors, radiofrequency coblation appears to be an attractive evolving technique for the endoscopic resection of selected upper aerodigestive tract malignancies.