Laser turbinectomy as an adjunct to rhinoseptoplasty

One hundred two inferior turbinectomies were done with the carbon dioxide laser as an adjunct to rhinoseptoplasty. Indications for surgery were airway obstruction on one or both sides not relieved by medical means (42 cases), patient inability to tolerate medication (36 cases), and patient unwillingness to continue to receive medication for prolonged periods (24 cases) in patients unhappy with their appearance. Pathologic processes included allergic rhinitis (34 cases), vasomotor rhinitis (28 cases), and rhinitis medicamentosum (40 cases). A newly designed suction speculum provided easy access to the internal nose and protected the alar rim and the face from laser energy. Only a few minutes of extra operating time were required. Relief of obstruction was comparable to that obtained from cryosurgery, submucous resection of the turbinate, and partial turbinectomy. Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding was less with laser turbinectomy than with any other means.