The Holmium:YAG laser for treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy

Abstract

Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is sometimes refractory to local, as well as general, medical treatment. Before undertaking surgical reduction of the inferior turbinates, there is indisputably a place for cauterisation or laser vaporisation of the inferior turbinate mucosa. The authors present a study of 46 patients treated by the holmium: YAG laser for chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. The results after only one laser session are satisfactory in 89.1% at 6 months' follow-up and in 52.2 % with a mean follow-up of 16.2 months. No major secondary effects were observed.