Awake Transnasal Laser-assisted Surgery (TNLS) and Microlaryngeal Surgery for Vocal Cord Cyst

NCT ID: NCT06703515

Last Updated: 2024-11-25

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

54 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-12-01

Study Completion Date

2027-12-31

Brief Summary

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This is a prospective randomised controlled trial conducted at two tertiary referral hospitals in Hong Kong to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of office-based awake transnasal laser-assisted laryngeal surgery (TNLS) under local anesthesia to traditional microlaryngeal surgery for vocal cord cyst under general anesthesia.

Detailed Description

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The aim of the study is to prospectively compare the functional and clinical outcomes of TNLS under local anesthesia and MLS under general anesthesia in managing vocal cord cysts.

Office-based awake transnasal laser-assisted surgery (TNLS) has been gaining popularity in treating different laryngeal lesions, with the advantages of avoiding general anesthetic risks and minimizing healthcare-related costs. In addition, the general waiting time for surgeries under general anesthesia in public hospitals is getting longer due to the increasing population and limited resources. The investigators have recently conducted a novel randomized controlled trial in 2021-2022 comparing the functional and cost-effectiveness of traditional microlaryngeal surgery (MLS) under general anesthesia and TNLS for benign laryngeal lesions (vocal cord polyps, nodules, cysts, granuloma and Reinke's edema), and found that TNLS was superior to MLS in terms of length of stay, intraoperative complications, perioperative throat discomfort and hospital costs; while it was equivalent to MLS in terms of functional outcome, operative time and recurrence rate. However, since the previous study's main goal was to compare TNLS to MLS in a macroscopic perspective in terms of functional outcomes and cost-effectiveness, it had included a wide variety of benign laryngeal lesions, and different vocal cord lesions may respond differently to laser surgery.

Vocal cord cyst is a fluid-filled sac inside the vocal cord, with 2 subtypes: 1) Epidermoid cyst due to epithelial inclusion 2) Mucous retention cyst due to glandular ductal obstruction. Vocal cord cysts typically do not resolve with voice therapy, and are traditionally excised with microlaryngeal surgery with microflap technique or marsupialization. In our previous RCT study, subgroup analysis did not show a significant difference of vocal cord cyst recurrence in both TNLS and MLS group. However, the investigators' cohort had a higher overall vocal cord cyst recurrence rate (13.8%) compared to historic cohort rate of 2.2-8.7% , which may be accounted by that the vocal cord cysts were ablated and marsupialized instead of removed in the TNLS group. Nevertheless, a recent case series by Gao and colleagues showed a good functional outcome of awake KTP-laser marsupialization in selected cases. A larger cohort is warranted to compare TNLS to MLS for vocal cord cyst. Therefore, the investigators would like to conduct a randomized controlled trial to compared tradition MLS surgery to TNLS, with hypothesis that TNLS would be non-inferior to traditional microlaryngeal surgery in benign laryngeal lesions, and with its additional benefits on minimization of anesthetic risks and hospital expenses, hopefully to expand its further application.

Conditions

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Vocal Cord Cyst

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Microlaryngeal surgery (MLS)

For traditional MLS under general anesthesia, after general anesthesia and intubation with microlaryngeal tube, the patient would be positioned on head-ring support for better alignment and access to glottis. A laryngoscope will be inserted transorally under direct vision and suspended. Vocal cord cysts are visualized with microscope, and removed with microsurgery instruments with microflap technique and sent for routine section. After the surgery, the patient is kept nil-by-mouth until fully awake, and is discharged on same day or the next day depending on the post- operative recovery. Patient will be discharged with voice rest for 3 days.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Microlaryngeal surgery (MLS)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

For traditional MLS under general anesthesia, after general anesthesia and intubation with microlaryngeal tube, the patient would be positioned on head-ring support for better alignment and access to glottis. A laryngoscope will be inserted transorally under direct vision and suspended. Vocal cord cysts are visualized with microscope, and removed with microsurgery instruments with microflap technique and sent for routine section. After the surgery, the patient is kept nil-by-mouth until fully awake, and is discharged on same day or the next day depending on the post- operative recovery. Patient will be discharged with voice rest for 3 days.

Awake transnasal laser-assisted surgery (TNLS)

For TNLS, patients are admitted to the day center on the same morning or afternoon of the surgery with fasting prior 6 hours. After local anesthesia application, a 445nm blue laser is introduced via a working channel of bronchoscope and laser ablation of vocal cord cyst is performed. During the operation, patient will receive continuous SpO2 monitoring with regular blood pressure monitoring. After the procedure, patients are kept nil-by-mouth for 2 hours until anesthesia wears off, meanwhile with close observation in day ward with continuous SpO2 monitor for 1 hour. Patients will be discharged on the same day of the procedure, with voice rest for 3 days.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Awake transnasal laser-assisted surgery (TNLS)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

For TNLS, patients are admitted to the day center on the same morning or afternoon of the surgery with fasting prior 6 hours. After local anesthesia application, a 445nm blue laser is introduced via a working channel of bronchoscope and laser ablation of vocal cord cyst is performed. During the operation, patient will receive continuous SpO2 monitoring with regular blood pressure monitoring. After the procedure, patients are kept nil-by-mouth for 2 hours until anesthesia wears off, meanwhile with close observation in day ward with continuous SpO2 monitor for 1 hour. Patients will be discharged on the same day of the procedure, with voice rest for 3 days.

Interventions

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Awake transnasal laser-assisted surgery (TNLS)

For TNLS, patients are admitted to the day center on the same morning or afternoon of the surgery with fasting prior 6 hours. After local anesthesia application, a 445nm blue laser is introduced via a working channel of bronchoscope and laser ablation of vocal cord cyst is performed. During the operation, patient will receive continuous SpO2 monitoring with regular blood pressure monitoring. After the procedure, patients are kept nil-by-mouth for 2 hours until anesthesia wears off, meanwhile with close observation in day ward with continuous SpO2 monitor for 1 hour. Patients will be discharged on the same day of the procedure, with voice rest for 3 days.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Microlaryngeal surgery (MLS)

For traditional MLS under general anesthesia, after general anesthesia and intubation with microlaryngeal tube, the patient would be positioned on head-ring support for better alignment and access to glottis. A laryngoscope will be inserted transorally under direct vision and suspended. Vocal cord cysts are visualized with microscope, and removed with microsurgery instruments with microflap technique and sent for routine section. After the surgery, the patient is kept nil-by-mouth until fully awake, and is discharged on same day or the next day depending on the post- operative recovery. Patient will be discharged with voice rest for 3 days.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Patients with vocal cord cysts
* older than 18-year-old
* able to independently provide consent
* able to tolerate flexible laryngoscopy would be recruited

Exclusion Criteria

* under 18-year-old
* unable to independently give an informed consent
* unable to tolerate flexible laryngoscopy
* allergic to local anesthesia
* had unfavorable anatomy such as prolapsing epiglottis precluding adequate visualization, extensive lesions and an expected difficult operation as judged by the surgeons
* with pathologies other than vocal cord cyst
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Chinese University of Hong Kong

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Tam Aurora Ka Yue

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, , Hong Kong

Site Status

Countries

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Hong Kong

Central Contacts

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Aurora KY Tam, MBBS, MRCSEd

Role: CONTACT

+852-3505 1409

Wing Kei Ng

Role: CONTACT

+852-3505 1409

Facility Contacts

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Wing Kei Ng

Role: primary

+852 35051409

References

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Misono S, Yueh B, Stockness AN, House ME, Marmor S. Minimal Important Difference in Voice Handicap Index-10. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Nov 1;143(11):1098-1103. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.1621.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28973078 (View on PubMed)

Ng E, Law T, Tang EC, Ho FN, Tong MC, Lee KY. The Cutoff Point and Diagnostic Accuracy of the Voice Handicap Index in Cantonese-Speaking Population. J Voice. 2021 Mar;35(2):163-168. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.09.021. Epub 2020 Oct 9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33046276 (View on PubMed)

Gao WZ, Abu-Ghanem S, Reder LS, Amin M, Johns MM. A Novel Approach to Vocal Fold Mucous Retention Cysts: Awake KTP Laser-Assisted Marsupialization. J Voice. 2022 Jul;36(4):570-573. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.07.028. Epub 2020 Aug 22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32843259 (View on PubMed)

Gocal WA, Tong JY, Maxwell PJ, Sataloff RT. Systematic Review of Recurrence Rates of Benign Vocal Fold Lesions Following Surgery. J Voice. 2025 May;39(3):787-798. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.10.015. Epub 2022 Dec 10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36513559 (View on PubMed)

Hsu CM, Armas GL, Su CY. Marsupialization of vocal fold retention cysts: voice assessment and surgical outcomes. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2009 Apr;118(4):270-5. doi: 10.1177/000348940911800406.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19462847 (View on PubMed)

Courey MS, Gardner GM, Stone RE, Ossoff RH. Endoscopic vocal fold microflap: a three-year experience. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1995 Apr;104(4 Pt 1):267-73. doi: 10.1177/000348949510400402.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 7717615 (View on PubMed)

Tam AKY, Leung NMW, Lee SKJ, Wei Y, Hu Y, Chan JYK, Law T. Randomized Controlled Trial of Awake Transnasal Laser-Assisted Surgery for Benign Laryngeal Lesions. Laryngoscope. 2024 Aug;134(8):3732-3740. doi: 10.1002/lary.31481. Epub 2024 May 10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 38727019 (View on PubMed)

Schimberg AS, Wellenstein DJ, van den Broek EM, Honings J, van den Hoogen FJA, Marres HAM, Takes RP, van den Broek GB. Office-based vs. operating room-performed laryngopharyngeal surgery: a review of cost differences. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Nov;276(11):2963-2973. doi: 10.1007/s00405-019-05617-z. Epub 2019 Sep 5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31486936 (View on PubMed)

Lin YH, Wang CT, Lin FC, Liao LJ, Lo WC, Cheng PW. Treatment Outcomes and Adverse Events Following In-Office Angiolytic Laser With or Without Concurrent Polypectomy for Vocal Fold Polyps. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 Mar 1;144(3):222-230. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.2899.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29346486 (View on PubMed)

Wellenstein DJ, Honings J, Schimberg AS, Schutte HW, Herruer JM, van den Hoogen FJA, Takes RP, van den Broek GB. Office-based CO2 laser surgery for benign and premalignant laryngeal lesions. Laryngoscope. 2020 Jun;130(6):1503-1507. doi: 10.1002/lary.28278. Epub 2019 Sep 9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31498454 (View on PubMed)

Shoffel-Havakuk H, Sadoughi B, Sulica L, Johns MM 3rd. In-office procedures for the treatment of benign vocal fold lesions in the awake patient: A contemporary review. Laryngoscope. 2019 Sep;129(9):2131-2138. doi: 10.1002/lary.27731. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30575043 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Other Identifiers

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NTEC-2023-624

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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