CO2 LASER TREATMENT FOR REDUCING NASAL TURBINATES

Laser treatments to the nose are useful in removing various amounts of unnecessary tissue, most commonly in the form of enlarged nasal turbinates (glands) within the nose. Occasionally, other tissues, such as polyps, may be vaporized with the laser. Laser turbinectomy has been very successful in eliminating or reducing the need for decongestants and nasal sprays. The procedure is performed in the office, takes less than half an hour, and gives many months if not years of an improved nasal airway. Frequently, the patient will never need to have this procedure repeated. Current statistics show that 70-75% experience success after the first procedure and 85-90% experience success after a possible second procedure.

The nose is first anesthetized with spray medication and then followed by the placement of more anesthetic on cotton pledgets that go inside the nose. Occasionally, the tissue within the nose will be injected with lidocaine. One typically cannot feel these injections because of the numbness provided by the spray anesthetic. The carbon dioxide laser is then used to reduce the enlarged portions of the nasal turbinate, both in the front of the nose, as well as along the entire length. The entire laser part of the procedure usually takes less than 5-10 minutes. During the procedure, the patient will typically experience a burning smell, and will sometimes have some minimal, but easily tolerable, discomfort. During the procedure, the patient must breathe in through the mouth and out through the nose to blow away the smoke while the doctor is operating. An assistant to the doctor will also hold a small vacuum nozzle near your face to help remove the smoke. In rare instances the nose may need to be packed because of bleeding.

After the procedure, the patient goes home. Lifting weights and exercising is discouraged for the first few days but a quick return to normal exercise and activity levels is expected.

The procedure will cause swelling and crusting of the tissues inside your nose. As a result, it is normal to feel stuffy and congested. These crusts may be loosened by gently sniffing water while using cupped hands in the shower, or by liberally spraying the nose with Ocean Nasal Mist, AYR, or any of the other commercially available over-the-counter nasal saline sprays. Do not use any medicated nasal sprays for one week after surgery. Also do not take Sudafed or other decongestants as they will likely not relieve your symptoms and may increase your blood pressure. Gentle nose blowing or snorting mucous backwards is allowed, but nose picking or aggressive nose blowing is strongly discouraged. After approximately two weeks, the crusts will almost entirely subside. Occasionally there is mild bleeding or runny nose shortly after the procedure. You should make a post-op appointment in approximately three weeks.