Turbinoplasty of hypertrophied inferior turbinate by diode laser
Background: Different laser types have been used for the treatment of hypertrophied inferiornasal turbinates. The clinical experiences of its treatment by means of a diode laser are presented.Methods: A total of 45 patients suffering from nasal obstruction due to hypertrophied inferiorturbinates (HIT) were treated with a continuous diode laser (14 W- 940 nm) in "contact" modeand under local anesthesia. Thirty patients (16 with allergic rhinitis and 14 with vasomotorrhinitis) were included into this clinical trial with a follow-up of 6 months. The study wasconducted by a questionnaire, photo documentation, conventional radiology of the paranasalsinuses, and histology.Results: The mean operation time took 8 min/turbinate, no nasal packing was necessary andno immediate complications (e.g., bleeding) were observed. Statistical analysis revealedsignificant subjective improvement (86%) of the nasal airflow and nasal cavity volume (photodocumentation) 6 months after laser surgery. In addition, complete relief of headache wasachieved in 32%. The remission rates of persistent rhinorrhoea and post-nasal dripping were,at about 88% and 64%, respectively. Atrophic change and synechiae had not been observed.Conclusions: Diode laser treatment of HIT is a useful procedure, which can be performed as anoutpatient surgery under local anesthesia, resulting in a controlled coagulation and ablation of thesoft tissue. The short operation time and the good results provide an excellent patient acceptance.Key words: Diode Laser; Hypertrophied Inferior Turbinate; Turbinoplasty.DOI: 10.3329/bjo.v16i1.5778Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2010; 16(1): 29-34