Diode laser treatment of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates

UNLABELLED: Background and Objective Different laser types have been used for the treatment of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates. The clinical experiences of its treatment by means of a diode laser are presented. Study Design/Materials and Methods A total of 76 patients suffering from nasal obstruction due to hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates were treated with a continuous diode laser (wavelength of lambda = 940 nm, laser parameter 10 W/energy/turbinate 5 kJ) in "noncontact" mode and under local anesthesia. All patients were refractory to conservative medical treatment. Fifty patients (26 of 50 [52%] with allergic rhinitis and 24 of 50 [48%] with vasomotor rhinitis) were included into this clinical trial with a follow-up of 1 year. The study was conducted by a questionnaire, photo documentation, allergy test, mucociliary clearance test, rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, conventional radiology of the paranasal sinuses, and histology. RESULTS: The mean operation time took 6 min/turbinate, no nasal packing was necessary and no immediate complications (e.g., major bleeding) were observed. During the first 2-4 weeks, nasal obstruction was correlated to the extent of postoperative edema and nasal crusting. Statistical analysis revealed significant improvement of the nasal airflow (rhinomanometry) and nasal cavity volume (acoustic rhinometry) 6 months and 1 year after laser surgery, respectively. A total of 86% of the patients described a subjective improvement of nasal airflow 6 months and 76% of the patients 1 year after laser treatment. The mucociliary function test showed no significant variation in comparison to the preoperative measurements 1 year after laser treatment. CONCLUSION: Diode laser treatment of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates is a useful procedure, which can be performed as an outpatient surgery under local anesthesia, resulting in a controlled coagulation and ablation of the soft tissue. The short operation time and the good results provide an excellent patient acceptance.