Laser septochondrocorrection.
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.
Ovchinnikov
Yuri
Y
Department of Otolarygology , Sechenov Medical Academy of Moscow, Moscow, Russia.
Sobol
Emil
E
Svistushkin
Valery
V
Shekhter
Anatoly
A
Bagratashvili
Victor
V
Sviridov
Alexander
A
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