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The symptom of catarrh is translatable into several different meanings - from blocked nose and sinus pains, to throaty symptoms, tickly cough and post nasal drip. The London Laser Clinic treats a specific variant of catarrh - namely the irritating continuous clearing of the throat, the feeling of a lump at the back of the tongue possibly with a tickly, dry cough and other throat symptoms. It is well recorded in medical literature that up to around 20% of the population suffer with this condition, which may also be related to snoring, enlarged tonsils and nose blockage.

The treatment of catarrh is directed to its cause, from nasal allergy to acid regurgitation from the stomach into the throat. One of the main treatments performed by The London Laser Clinic for catarrh is called laser vapourisation of the uvula (Laser uvulectomy). This structure is the hanging down object in the back of the throat, which can cause some of the symptoms of catarrh. It is the experience and view of the Clinic surgeons that laser uvulectomy under local anaesthetic can be beneficial in approximately 70% of patients with throat-type catarrh.

Laser used:

Scanned Carbon Dioxide laser.

Anaesthetic:

95% of the procedures are performed under local anaesthetic, which is mostly with the simple application of an anaesthetic spray, followed by a single small injection. The procedure takes about 10 minutes. Speech is not affected. Recovery on the ward is quick, patients are usually eating and drinking within 30 minutes of return from the operating theatre. Patients are observed with regular blood pressure and pulse measurement on the ward for 1 hour post surgery, until they feel they are able to return home. Driving home is allowed, but not encouraged.

Postoperative instructions:

Because a small ulcer is left in the back of the mouth after the operation, there is a moderate degree of pain for around 1 week after this procedure. This pain is well controlled if regular painkillers are used, typically these would be Co-proxamol and Diclofenac. An antiseptic gargle helps the area to heal quickly. Follow up is usually arranged for 4 weeks after surgery has been performed.

Complications:

These are very unlikely - the last series of 75 cases performed by London Laser Clinic surgeons showed no specific complications (i.e., bleeding, infection).

Success rate:

70% of patients report complete relief or major improvement in their catarrhal symptoms.

Pricing:

To view pricing information for this procedure, click here.