title: Laser septochondrocorrection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present results from a clinical series of patients who underwent office-based laser nasal septal cartilage reshaping.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nonrandomized prospective clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient university-based otolaryngology clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ten patients aged 11 to 66 years with symptomatic nasal obstruction due to septal deviation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Topical anesthesia (10% lidocaine solution) was applied to the nasal cavity. The septum was then mechanically straightened using a modified nasal speculum, and it was secured in a median position. Laser energy from a holmium:YAG laser was delivered via an optical fiber to the septum along the regions of maximum mechanical stress. Irradiation was delivered through the mucosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  A subjective survey, rhinoscopy, and rhinomanometry in 110 patients before and after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-four patients (76%) showed stable improvement in airways and disappearance of the attendant symptoms. The average duration of follow-up was 18 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This technique uses local, nondestructive laser irradiation to reshape septal deviations without the use of mucoperichondrial flaps or sedation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolarygology , Sechenov Medical Academy of Moscow, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ovchinnikov
authors.forename: Emil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sobol
authors.forename: Valery
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Svistushkin
authors.forename: Anatoly
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shekhter
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bagratashvili
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sviridov
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003948:Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed