Precise, minimally invasive treatment of benign and malignant laryngeal conditions — through the mouth, no neck incision, preserving your voice.
About the Procedure
Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) uses a CO₂ or KTP laser delivered through a rigid laryngoscope and operating microscope to precisely treat lesions on and around the vocal cords — without any cut on the neck.
The laser allows bloodless, precise removal of tissue with minimal thermal spread — protecting the surrounding vocal cord mucosa and muscle. This results in better voice outcomes and faster recovery compared to open laryngeal surgery.
Conditions Treated
Benign mucosal lesions causing hoarseness — removed precisely with laser under microscopy. Day-care procedure with rapid voice recovery.
HPV-related laryngeal papillomas requiring repeated laser debulking to maintain airway and voice. Long-term disease management programme available.
Laser incision and dilation of post-intubation or post-radiation scar tissue narrowing the airway — avoiding permanent tracheostomy in many patients.
Benign lesions of the posterior larynx or vocal cord caused by acid reflux, intubation trauma, or infection — treated transorally with laser precision.
Fluid-filled swelling of the vocal cord surface, typically in smokers, causing a deep or rough voice. Laser marsupialisation restores vocal quality.
Vocal cord cancer in early stages — TLM offers cure rates equivalent to radiotherapy with a single procedure and preservation of radiation as a future option.
Selected T1–T2 supraglottic tumours treated with laser supraglottectomy — preserving swallowing and voice while achieving oncological control.
Pre-malignant lesions of the vocal cord treated with laser excision biopsy — providing diagnosis and treatment simultaneously, avoiding progression to invasive cancer.
Choosing the Right Treatment
For early laryngeal cancer, all three approaches can achieve cure. The right choice depends on tumour location, stage, patient factors, and priorities around voice quality and treatment duration.
Single procedure, 30–60 minutes, day-care or overnight. Pathology confirms clear margins. Radiation preserved for recurrence. Best for discrete T1a/T1b glottic lesions.
6 weeks of daily treatment. Excellent voice outcomes for T1 disease. No surgery required but radiation is a one-time resource — once used, options narrow at recurrence.
Required for advanced or bulky tumours not accessible transorally. Partial or total laryngectomy with neck dissection — higher morbidity but broader resection possible.
Dr. Narayana discusses all treatment options at consultation and helps each patient choose based on their specific tumour, lifestyle, and priorities — there is no one-size-fits-all approach to laryngeal cancer.
What to Expect
Flexible laryngoscopy performed in clinic to visualise the vocal cords and larynx in real time. Lesion characteristics, voice analysis, and imaging reviewed.
For suspicious lesions, a diagnostic microlaryngoscopy under GA is performed — providing tissue diagnosis and allowing laser treatment in the same sitting if indicated.
Rigid laryngoscope positioned, operating microscope set up, CO₂ or KTP laser used for precise excision or vaporisation. No incision on the neck.
Benign cases — discharged same day or next morning. Cancer cases — 1–2 days in hospital. Voice rest advised for 5–7 days post-surgery.
Speech and language therapy to optimise voice recovery. Laryngoscopy at 6 weeks, then 3-monthly for cancer surveillance, annually for benign disease.
Why Choose Dr. Narayana
Lead Consultant — Head & Neck Surgical Oncology & Skull Base Surgery, Bangalore
Frequently Asked Questions
Send us your laryngoscopy images or reports on WhatsApp — our team responds within 4 hours.
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