S271 – The Use of Erbium Doped Glass Fiber Laser in Septoplasty

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of Erbium doped glass fiber laser in patients undergoing cartilage reshaping under local anesthesia. Methods A prospective study was conducted in 64 patients undergoing laser nasal septal cartilage reshaping. Micro-surgical sponges soaked in a tetracaine solution plus adrenalines were applied in each side of the nose for 10 minutes before the procedure. The cartilage of nasal septum was straightened and fixed in the median position using a modified nasal speculum. An optothermomechanical contactor with transparent indenter and thermocouple sensor was placed on septal regions of maximum mechanical stress. Patients were asked to evaluate the severity of pain during the procedure on a visual analog scale. A rhinomanometric evaluation was conducted prior to and after the procedure. All patients were asked to evaluate the improvement of their symptoms. All patients' data and potential complications were put in a database and were statistically assessed. Results Statistical analysis showed significant improvement of their symptoms and of rhinomanometric results. No complications or side effects occurred. The mean operative time was 35 minutes. Conclusions Septal cartilage reshaping is an easy, painless, and bloodless method using an Erbium doped glass fiber Laser. Laser device LSC-701 (Arcuo Medical Inc.) is an effective, safe, and inexpensive medical equipment.