Diode laser turbinate reduction in the treatment of symptomatic inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

To evaluate the efficacy of diode laser turbinate reduction procedure in treatment of symptomatic inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) and to study the effect of it on mucociliary clearance of nose. This prospective study was carried out over 45 patients with symptomatic ITH refractory to medical management from July 2009 to March 2010 in Department of E.N.T, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India. Each symptom (nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea, sneezing, headache, hyposmia and snoring) was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). Mucociliary clearance was measured by saccharin transit time (STT). All patients underwent diode laser turbinate reduction (LTR) under local anesthesia. The patients were followed up at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. During each follow up visit, symptoms were reassessed by VAS score. Difference between preoperative and postoperative VAS score was statistically significant. All patients had significant symptomatic improvement which started from 1 week postoperatively and persisted throughout the follow up period. Prolongation of STT following diode laser turbinate reduction was significant. SST returned back to preoperative value by the end of 6 months. Crusting and pain were the main postoperative complaints. Diode laser turbinate reduction is safe, minimally invasive and effective in relieving the symptoms associated with ITH and can be performed on a day care basis under local anaesthesia. Longer follow up is required to assess the development of late complications and recurrence of symptoms after LTR.