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Painless, bloodless and quick

Lasers used:

Under local anaesthetic, the scanned Carbon Dioxide laser.

Under general anaesthetic, the Holmium-YAG or Diode laser.

Indication:

For blockage of the nose that is due to swelling / allergy.

Anaesthetic:

This operation can be performed under local or general anaesthetic. A more complete procedure is usually achieved with the latter, more than one attempt is sometimes required with the former, which is achieved painlessly by the simple insertion into the nose of cotton wool soaked in local anaesthetic for 10 minutes.

Indications for surgery:

Those patients with nasal obstruction secondary to swelling of the lining of the nose over structures called the Inferior Turbinates. Those suitable for surgery will usually have tried, and not had success with, a variety of drug treatments, including antihistamine tablets, mast cell stabilisers (Sodium Chromoglycate) and nasal steroid spray.

The pre-treatment diagnosis also often involves X-rays of the sinuses, and full endoscopic examination of the nose.

Pathophysiology:

The procedure works by altering the function of nasal flow receptors, and reducing the bulk of the turbinates, thus increasing the size of the breathing channel.

Postoperative information:

Recovery is quick, such that whether under local or general anaesthetic, a day-stay procedure can be performed. Packing of the nose is not usually required for bleeding. Application of antibiotic cream twice daily is necessary, for 1 week. There is little postoperative pain. A follow up appointment is made between 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. More than one procedure may be necessary, depending on the severity of the disease.

Pricing:

To view pricing information for this procedure, click here.