Safe, complete resection of epiglottic cysts with phono-ultra-microsurgical technique.

Generally, epiglottic cysts have been treated by the puncture technique or surgical resection. However, these techniques can result in accidental injury to the cyst wall. As a result, the contents of the cyst may spread throughout the larynx, trachea and pharyngeal cavity. The ideal treatment would involve complete resection without cyst perforation. We use a completely different approach for the resection of epiglottic cysts, with successful results, which we term the advanced phono-ultra-microsurgical technique. One difference between this method and previous techniques of surgical epiglottic cyst resection is that the cyst is sealed off before resection in order to prevent rupture and spread of its contents. To enable this, we have developed a special device to facilitate suturing of the vocal fold epithelium, utilising a knot-pusher. This suturing technique allows complete removal of epiglottic cysts. Our technique allows optimal prevention of cyst rupture and spread of contents.