Laser-assisted surgery of the upper aero-digestive tract: a clarification of nomenclature. A consensus statement of the European Laryngological Society

Marc Remacle, Christoph Arens, Mostafa Badr Eldin, Guillermo Campos, Carlos Chiesa Estomba, Pavel Dulguerov, Ivana Fiz, Anastasios Hantzakos, Jerôme Keghian, Francesco Mora, Nayla Matar, Giorgio Peretti, Cesare Piazza, Gregory N. Postma, Vyas Prasad, Elisabeth Sjogren, Frederik G. Dikkers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Acronyms and abbreviations are frequently used in otorhinolaryngology and other medical specialties. CO2 laser-assisted transoral surgery of the pharynx, the larynx and the upper airway is a family of commonly performed surgical procedures termed transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). The abbreviation TLM can be confusing because of alternative modes of delivery. Classification and definition of the different types of procedures, performed transorally or transnasally, are proposed by the Working Committee for Nomenclature of the European Laryngological Society, emphasizing the type of laser used and the way this laser is transmitted. What is usually called TLM, would more clearly be defined as CO2 laser transoral microsurgery or CO2 TOLMS or CO2 laser transoral surgery only (with a handpiece) would be defined as CO2 TOLS. KTP transnasal flexible laser surgery would be KTP TNFLS. Transoral use of the flexible CO2 wave-guide with a handpiece would be a CO2 TOFLS. One can argue that these clarifications are not necessary and that the abbreviation TLM for transoral laser microsurgery is more than sufficient. But this is not the case. Laser surgery, office-based laser surgery and microsurgery are frequently and erroneously interchanged for one another. These classifications allow for a clear understanding of what was performed and what the results meant.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3723-3727
Number of pages5
JournalEuropean Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
Volume274
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2017

Keywords

  • Laser-assisted surgery
  • Nomenclature
  • TNFLS
  • TOFLS
  • TOLMS
  • TOLS
  • Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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