Laser Surgery for Allergic Rhinitis

Endoscopic Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate Laser Treatment for the Reduction of Hypertrophic Inferior Nasal Turbinate

“…2 Many laser modalities have also been applied to treat inferior turbinate hypertrophy, including the Nd-YAG laser, Ho-YAG laser, CO 2 laser, and diode laser, with varied short-term and long-term outcomes. [3][4][5] The potassiumtitanyl-phosphate laser (KTP/532) has been reported to be an excellent adjunct to rhinosinal surgery, partly because of its outstanding capabilities in hemostasis and tissue penetration.…”

“…Fukutake 5 proposed that the submucosal scar tissue of the lased turbinate could relieve nasal obstruction by preventing rapid congestion and decongestion swings of turbinate. Photocoagulation may also decrease the nasal symptoms by altering the autonomic nervous system control over the vasoactive turbinate response.…”

“…Many other laser modalities have been successfully applied to perform inferior turbinate surgery with various short-term and long-term outcomes. [3][4][5] Nd-YAG laser has been reported as having 47-65% success rates in treating turbinate hypertrophy, with 15 months to 5 years of follow-up time. 3 The non-contact application of Nd-YAG laser results in deep coagulation and the contact application is effective in cutting and tissue vaporization.…”

Analysis of Local Cytokine Gene Expression in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis Treated With CO2 Laser Surgery

“…The CO 2 laser usually penetrates about 1 mm into the tissue, and the depth of the vaporized area is usually smaller than that caused by other laser beams, such as the Nd:YAG or the potassium‐titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser. 4,21 We consider that this property of the CO 2 laser may require several treatments to induce appropriate scar tissue formation in the superficial layer of the inferior turbinate. The continuous decrease in the degree of nasal obstruction is probably attributable to this effect.…”

Surgery of the Inferior and Middle Turbinates

“…Use of laser turbinate reduction has gained greater favor especially because the procedure results in little blood loss and postoperative discomfort. 17,18 Disadvantages of laser turbinate reduction include eschar formation, which may cause obstruction or, rarely, hemorrhage with sloughing of the eschar. 5 Although the laser is effective at reducing hypertrophied mucosa through the induction of scarring and actual tissue removal, it is ineffective at removing turbinate bone and therefore not ideal in cases where bone reduction is necessary.…”