In-Office KTP Laser for Treating Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia-Associated Epistaxis

Objective: To evaluated the efficacy and safety of in-office potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser treatment for the management of epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) patients.

Methods: A retrospective case series of all HHT patients over age of 18 who underwent in-office KTP laser treatment from July 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 was performed. The primary outcome measure was the epistaxis severity score (ESS) pre- and post-procedure. Secondary outcome measures included patient reported pain (on a 10-point Likert-type scale), and procedural adverse events and complications.

Results: A total of 16 patients underwent KTP in-office laser treatment during the review period. There was both a clinically and statistically significant decrease in the ESS after in-office laser treatment, baseline ESS -7.24, SD 1.71, follow up ESS -4.92, SD 1.83 (mean difference 2.94, 95% confidence interval, 1.83-4.04, P < .0001). There were no reported adverse events or complications associated with the procedure. The mean pain score reported was 0.19, SD 0.75. The average blood loss was 10.8 mL, SD 37.3. The majority of patients (62.5%, 10/16) had no blood loss during the procedure.

Conclusion: Clinically and statistically significant decreases were noted in the ESS of HHT patients after in-office KTP laser photocoagulation. The procedure was well tolerated by patients, without any adverse events or complications.

Level of evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 2020.

Keywords: ESS; Epistaxis; HHT; patient reported outcome; severity.