[Endonasal Ar+-laser beam guide system and first clinical application in vasomotor rhinitis (author's transl)]

First clinical experiences in the treatment of vasomotr rhinitis of 3 patients using an Ar+-laser are discussed. Punctiform and stripe laser lesions were produced on the lower human turbinates. Macroscopically the typical laser lesion consists of a central area of carbonisation surrounded by a sharply bordered zone of coagulation. Later a hyperemic margin arises. Some days after laser application an ulcus developes which is cleaned after some days. 20 days after laser application the wound is healed completely. The advantage of laser surgery is the absent of blood and pain if premedication and surface anesthesia are used. Laser surgery is compared with present-day surgical techniques for treatment of vasomotor rhinitis. Within the present time of observation of 6 months the patients are free of symptoms, if a sufficient laser surgical treatment took place. The laser surgical technique and the contruction of the laser beam guide system is described. At a laser power of 1.5-2 W and a beam diameter of 0.7 mm on the tissue the time of irradiation was several seconds on each lesion. The disadvantages of the laser technique are the high costs for the laser instrument and some technical problems with the nasal end tube.