[Nd:YAG laser light-induced reduction of the nasal turbinates].

BACKGROUND

Different types of laser have been used for reduction of hyperplastic inferior turbinates in the recent years with good results. Reports about the long-term benefit of the laser treatment are rare.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

At the Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kiel between 1987 and 1994, 89 patients with hyperplastic inferior turbinates were treated using the Nd:YAG laser. With the Nd:YAG laser, low-dose irradiation (laser power density: 1770-3540 W/cm2, non-contact-technique) of the entire turbinate is performed under endoscopic control.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (67.5%) who were treated by laser surgery were without complaints 6 months postoperatively. After one and two years, this applied to 29 (72.5%) and 26 (65%) patients, respectively. The success of treatment was seen after several months. The procedure involves little or no bleeding. The mucocillary clearance of the epiturbinate is not disturbed by Nd:YAG laser treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The Nd:YAG laser is suitable for the treatment of hyperplastic inferior turbinates. The disadvantages of the Nd:YAG laser therapy are that the success of treatment becomes evident only after weeks or months due to the scarring process which takes very long, and time consuming wound care is necessary.