A Comparative Study on the Clinical Outcome of Carbondioxide Laser Turbinate Reduction Versus Submucosal Diathermy in Patients with Hypertrophied Inferior Turbinate

Background: The inferior turbinates are essential structures that form a crucial part for the normal functioning of the nose. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy causing nasal obstruction significantly affects the quality of life. Even though various surgical measures are available, both submucosal diathermy and carbon dioxide LASER procedures has got several advantages over other turbinate reduction surgeries. With this background, this study aims to compare the clinical improvement between patients who underwent submucosal diathermy surgery and carbon dioxide LASER procedure of hypertrophied inferior turbinate.

Objectives: To compare the clinical outcome of submucosal diathermy and LASER turbinate reduction in patients with nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy refractory to medical treatment.

Method: A prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of ENT, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, over a period of 18 months. Data on 32 patients who had underwent one of the two surgical interventions either LASER turbinate reduction or submucosal diathermy for inferior turbinate hypertrophy resistant to medical treatment was compiled, with assessments before and after the procedures. The clinical outcome was compared pre and post procedure via subjective (SF36 Questionnaire) and objective (Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow) methods.

Results: Both treatment groups showed symptomatic improvement at first- and third-month follow-up. However, patients who underwent Laser surgery demonstrated a significant improvement in PNIF values compared with those treated with SMD (p < 0.05). Crust formation was the most frequent postoperative complication, observed in 62.5% of CO₂ LTR cases and 93.7% of SMD cases at 1-month follow-up.

Conclusion: Lase turbinate reduction of hypertrophied inferior turbinate showed superior clinical outcomes in terms of recovery and nasal function compared to SMD.