Papillomatosis Tissue Utilized to Correct Anterior Commissure Webbing

Criticism of the Procedure

The surgical procedure performed by Dr. Akst received some criticism, however. In regard to the paper presented at the Marco Island meeting, I do believe that this concept is somewhat controversial, said Stanley Shapshay, MD, Professor of Otolaryngology at Albany Medical College in New York and a partner in University Ear, Nose & Throat of Northeastern NY, an affiliate of Albany Medical Center.

The use of local tissue flaps to repair anterior commissure webbing is not a new technique, Dr. Shapshay said in commenting on the procedure. However, the use of diseased tissue to accomplish this is a new concept which is subject to some criticism. The standard treatment for anterior commissure stenosis associated with treatment for papillomatosis is not to reconstruct the anterior commissure web until the disease process-papillomatosis-is in remission.

Dr. Shapshay noted that regrowth of papillomas in the anterior commissure has the same deleterious effect on the voice as does webbing.

Dr. Akst reported that his work was supported in part by the Eugene B. Casey Foundation and the Institute of Laryngology and Voice Restoration. The 532-nm Pulsed KTP Laser, used in the surgeries, was on-loan from Laserscope Inc. No consulting or research funding support was received from this company, he said.

©2007 The Triological Society