Ho : YAG laser treatment of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates

Objectives: Although preliminary studies about the successful use of the Ho :YAG laser in nasal turbinate surgery have been reported, no clinical study has been performed on this procedure. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to assess the long-term effect of Ho:YAG laser in the treatment of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates. Methods: Eighty-five patients wi th nasal obstruction who did not respond to conservative medical treatment were treated with a pulsed Ho:YAG laser (wavelength of =2080 nn), Fifty-two of these patients were included in this clinical study and were followed f or 1 year. Results: Within the first 2 weeks, nasal obstruction was correla ted to the extent of nasal crusting, Six months after laser treatment, the mucociliary function test showed no variation compared with the preoperativ e measurements. One year after laser treatment 77% of the patients demonstr ated improved nasal airflow on rhinomanometry and questionnaire. Conclusion s: Ho:YAG-laser treatment of hyperplastic turbinates can be performed as ou tpatient surgery under local anesthesia and offers controllable ablation of soft tissue in a short operation time with satisfactory results and excell ent patient acceptance.