title: CO2 laser surgery of hypertrophied inferior turbinates.
abstract: The inferior turbinates are responsible for nasal obstruction in patients with allergic and vasomotor rhinitis. Until today there is no satisfactory means of treating hypertrophied turbinates. One hundred and eighty-four patients with nasal obstruction due to hypertrophied inferior turbinates were treated with the CO2 laser using the microscope and a micromanipulator. A few laser spots (1 W, 1 s, laser power density: 2,038 W/cm2) were applied to the head of the turbinate. After a few days a positive effect was present. One hundred and twelve patients were followed for over 2 years. Six months after laser surgery, 87.5% had excellent or good results. After one year, 82.1% of the patients were satisfied, and after 2 years 80.4% were satisfied. The procedure involves little bleeding, no pain and can be done under local anaesthesia in an outpatient setting. Less post-operative wound care is necessary. Therefore, the CO2 laser surgical technique can be considered as an effective method in the treatment of hyperthrophied turbinates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Lippert
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Werner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery