A comparison of radiofrequency Coblation and cold steel excision in the treatment of idiopathic vocal process granulomas

Abstract Objective To compare the effectiveness of radiofrequency Coblation assisted excision and cold steel excision in the treatment of idiopathic vocal process granulomas. Methods A retrospective study was performed of patients with idiopathic vocal process granulomas who underwent radiofrequency Coblation excision or cold steel excision between January 2013 and January 2020. The recurrence rate was compared among the two groups at six months post-operatively. Results Of the 47 patients with vocal process granulomas, 28 were in the cold steel excision (control) group and 19 were in the Coblation-assisted group. The recurrence rate in the control group was significantly higher than that in the Coblation-assisted group (60.7 per cent vs 5.3 per cent; p < 0.001). In addition, the voice recovery of the Coblation-assisted group was significantly better than that of the control group; vocal quality recovered one month after surgery in the Coblation-assisted group. Conclusion Radiofrequency Coblation should be considered the optimal method when approaching idiopathic vocal process granulomas surgically.