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Adverse Events Associated With Laser Use in the Upper Airway
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Adverse Events Associated With Laser Use in the Upper Airway

Jane Y. Tong, Luke J. Pasick, Daniel A. Benito and Robert T. Sataloff
Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, v 164(5), pp 911-917
01 May 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820938743
PMID: 32660346
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Otorhinolaryngology Science & Technology Surgery
Objective Surgical lasers are used extensively in head and neck surgery. Laser use in the upper airway offers many advantages but also presents risks to patients and operators that are not reported comprehensively. This study aims to summarize device malfunctions, patient complications, and subsequent interventions related to laser use in the upper airway. Methods The US Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database was queried for reports of surgical laser adverse events from January 2010 to March 2020. Data were extracted from reports pertaining to the upper airway. Results Sixty-two reports involving upper airway laser use in an operating room were identified, from which 95 events were extracted. Of these, 40 (42.1%) were adverse events to patients, 2 (2.1%) adverse events to operators, and 53 (55.8%) device malfunctions. Dislodgement of laser fiber in the airway (23 [57.5%]), burn (8 [20%]), and scar (5 [12.5%]) were the most common adverse events to patients. Two incidents of eye exposure through unfiltered microscope lenses were the only adverse events to operators. Fiber break (26 [49.1%]) and flare (12 [22.6%]) were the most common device malfunctions. Discussion Surgical lasers have demonstrated utility in head and neck surgery but are associated with risks. This study discusses adverse events and device malfunctions associated with airway laser surgery and emphasizes shortcomings in current reporting. Implications for Practice Standardized reporting and multi-institutional research are needed to better understand adverse events related to surgical laser use and to allow accurate estimation of their prevalence.

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11 Record Views
10 citations in Web of Science
10 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Otorhinolaryngology
Surgery
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