Coblation Surgery for Allergic and Vasomotor Rhinitis
Patients who suffer from persistent vasomotor rhinitis, and allergic rhinitis usually presents with nasal blockage, headache, postnasal drip and sneezing. This is caused by the edema of the lining of the nasal passage- mainly the inferior turbinates
Inferior turbnates are scroll like tissues on the lateral wall of nasal passge.It is made of mucous membrane and sub mucous cavernous tissue.
Turbinate reduction (also known as Turbinoplasty) is a surgical procedure that reduces the overall size of the turbinates allowing for airflow which results in symptomatic relief of nasal obstruction and congestion.
Coblation Turbinoplasty a procedure by removing internal turbinate tissue as well as shrinking the turbinate by a method called Coblation (Cold-Ablation) and can be done under local anesthesia as an independent procedure or under GA with other procedure like septoplasty, FESS, Polypectomy.
Both kids as well as adults benefit from this procedure, though kids generally will require anesthesia as they usually can’t stay absolutely still when having this procedure done.
How it works
Coblation technology is based on a controlled, non-heat driven process that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to excite the electrolytes in a conductive medium such as saline solution to create precisely focused plasma. Energized particles, or ions, in the plasma have sufficient energy to break, or dissociate, molecular bonds within soft tissue at relatively low temperatures (typically 40°C to 70°C). This enables Coblation devices to volumetrically remove target tissue with minimal damage to surrounding tissue. Coblation devices are also used for tissue shrinkage and homeostasis.
How effective this in the treatment of Nasal allergy?
It is good to reduce the size of the turbinates and make breathing easier. But this procedure does NOT cure allergies. Some individuals may need to get this procedure done more than one time for adequate relief.
Dr Paulose is an ENT Consultant Plastic and Laser Surgeon with over 35 years of experience covering in Ear, Nose and Throat procedures, specializing in Laser Surgery and conventional medicine across India, U.K. and Middle East. He is currently engaged with the Jubilee Hospital, in Kerala, India.
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