Long-Term Results of Laser Surgery for Nasal Hyper-Reactivity

Jang, Tae Young; Jeon, Yong Sun; Choi, Yoon Seok; Hwang, Sung Ho

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Laser vaporization on the inferior turbinate can be an valuable surgical method with safety, less morbidity and good efficacy. However, long term results are not exactly known. Furthermore, concrete data for success rates using different laser techniques is not available yet. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term result of laser surgery using different laser technique in patients with hypersensitive nasal diseases. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed 53 cases which had been treated with CO2 laser and followed up for more than 3 years. The subjects consisted of 29 patients with allergic rhinitis and 24 patients with vasomotor rhinitis. Laser surgical techniques were divided into two groups;vaporization of only inferior turbinate (conventional group) and inferior turbinate, upper septum, middle turbinate, agger nasi (extended group). Changes in the degree of nasal obstruction, watery rhinorrhea, sneezing were compared postoperatively between the two surgical procedure, and two different diseases. RESULTS: Long-term result (67%) was slightly lower than short-term result (69%). There was no difference in the success rates (68%) for both laser and surgical technique. Patients with vasomotor rhinitis (75%) showed better success rate than with allergic rhinitis (62%). Rate of success was better in the extended group than in the conventional group for watery rhinorrhea and sneezing. CONCLUSION: Success rate of laser surgery performed at Inha university hospital was 68%. The extended technique was more effective than the conventional technique for short-term result. However, there was no difference in the long-term results using different laser techniques.