A pilot study of the holmium YAG laser in nasal turbinate and tonsil surgery

A pilot study of the holmium YAG laser (a solid-state pulsed laser, wavelength 2.1 mum) was performed for tonsillectomy and nasal turbinate surgery. In the nose, intraoperative bleeding was negligible, facilitating an excellent view of the operative field and avoiding the need for postoperative nasal packs. There was no occurrence either of primary or secondary hemorrhage. Some intranasal crusts separated with no difficulty between 3 and 6 weeks. There was no significant delayed tissue destruction. Tonsillectomy was almost bloodless. There was some minor difficulty in mobilizing the upper tonsillar pole. Postoperative pain was no worse than routine tonsillectomy pain and may have been less than would be expected. The tonsil beds healed within two weeks. The comparable roles of the CO 2, the neodymium YAG, and the KTP/532 laser for nasal and oropharyngeal surgery are discussed. These preliminary results suggest a potential role for the holmium YAG laser in nasal turbinate and tonsillar surgery and the need for further evaluation.