COMPARISON OF 1470NM DIODE LASER VS C02-LASERLASER FOR TONSILLOTOMY AND A CLINICAL FEASABILITY TRIAL ON THE USE OF 1940NM IN ENT

Introduction: The need for reduction of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage has led to promotion of tonsillotomy techniques for tonsil tissue reduction in obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy. A first study compares ablative tissue effects using 1470nm diode laser and CO2-laser for tonsillotomy in an intraindividual design. A number of different laser systems have been used for volume reduction of hyperplastic nasal turbinates. The aim of a 2nd clinical feasibility study was to show the coagulative and tissue reducing effects using a novel Tm: fiber laser system emitting at lambda = 1940 nm Patients and methods: First 21 children aged 3 -13 years (mean age 6.3 years) underwent laser tonsillotomy for obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy in this double blind, prospective, randomized, clinical feasibility trial. In each case, tonsillotomy was performed using fibre guided 1470nm diode laser (contact mode, 15 W power) on the one side and CO2-laser (12 W power) on the other side. An independent physician documented clinical presentation and patients' symptoms preoperatively and on day 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 postoperatively using standardized questionnaire including VAS (was ist das) for each side separately. The 2nd clinical feasibility trial included 11 patients suffering from hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates, who were therapy-refractory to conservative medical treatment. The obstructive nasal cavity was treated using the 1940 nm Tm: fiber laser at