title: Swiftlase inferior turbinoplasty.
abstract: The hypertrophied inferior turbinates are responsible for nasal obstruction in patients with chronic rhinitis. Several methods have been applied to solve this problem. Recently, laser methods have produced good results. We present the management of 387 patients with hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates mucosa, using CO2 laser in combination with the Swiftlase apparatus. CO2 laser energy delivered through the Swiftlase apparatus provides a char-free ablation of a superficial tissue layer. Swiftlase is easily installed onto the existing CO2 laser units and provides a high-power density. The 1-year postoperative follow-up revealed good results in 261 (81%) of 321 patients, thus establishing CO2 laser in combination with the Swiftlase apparatus as a promising new approach for the management of inferior turbinate hypertrophy. CO2 laser energy delivered through the Swiftlase apparatus offers a treatment modality capable of achieving excellent results in hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates with minimal morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Greece.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Papadakis
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Skoulakis
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Nikolidakis
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Velegrakis
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Bizakis
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Helidonis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*