Therapeutic Efficacy of Diode Laser Turbinoplasty on Nasal Obstruction Estimated with Rhinomanometry

Objective: Diode-assisted laser turbinoplasty is a popular surgical technique that improves airflow during nasal obstruction. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a diode laser for turbinate hypertrophy by using rhinomanometry. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 199 patients for 13 months. Preoperative, intraoperative, and 6-week postoperative rhinomanometry values were measured. Results: The most common intraoperative symptoms were olfactory annoyance (barbecue smell) (76.4%) and a painful burning or stinging sensation (64.3%). The inspiratory and expiratory mean nasal airflow values increased both intraoperatively and postoperatively, illustrating the effect of decongestants and inferior turbinate surgery. Intraoperatively, inspiration improved by 262.73 ± 196.09 (p < 0.01) and expiration by 247.94 ± 180.05 (p < 0.01). Postoperative inspiration improved by 254.03 ± 199.08 (p < 0.01) and expiration by 244.05 ± 194.57 (p < 0.01). Postoperative snoring (22.6%, p = 0.026) and nasal obstruction (20.2%, p = 0.042) were significantly higher in female than in male patients. Conclusions: The therapeutic efficacy of using diode lasers in inferior turbinate resection was established in this study on the basis of rhinomanometric data with a follow-up of 6 weeks. Postoperative nasal obstruction was effectively decreased and the other symptoms displayed a female preponderance.