Laser surgery for small perianal neoplasms

Excisional laser surgery was used to treat 62 patients suffering from perianal, perineal, and anal canal neoplasms. 48 patients had benign epithelial or pigmented tumours, 12 had carcinoma in situ and 2 had invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Laser surgery was performed under local anaesthesia, in association with the operating microscope on an outpatient basis. 59 out of 62 patients (95%) had clear margins of resection after primary laser surgery, and 3 patients required a second excision for uncleared margins. 3 patients of the group of carcinoma in situ recurred, and 2 had new disease in an untreated area. These patients underwent re-section with the same technique. No significant local complications were observed for single or multiple operations at the perianal and anal canal level. All patients are disease-free in a follow-up ranging from 4 to 113 months, with a median of 25 months. Laser excisional surgery appears to be a suitable method for treating superficial tumours.