Endoscopic potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser treatment for the reduction of hypertrophic inferior nasal turbinate.

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of using the KTP/532 laser in endoscopic inferior turbinate reduction surgery.

Background Data: Potasium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP/532) laser is a useful tool in endoscopic intranasal operations, due to its outstanding capabilities in hemostasis, tissue penetration, and the maneuverability of its flexible transmission optic fiber.

Materials And Methods: A total of 124 patients (male/female 73:51, mean age 38.

Use of patient satisfaction data in a continuous quality improvement program for endoscopic sinus surgery.

Objective: Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is an effort by health care providers to improve the quality of service by continuously exceeding patients' expectations. Patient satisfaction is one of the measures of the quality of care. The aims of this study were to report the patients' evaluation of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and to explore the feasibility in using patient satisfaction data in the CQI program for ESS.

Endoscope-assisted KTP laser sinus clear-out procedure for recurrent ethmoid polyposis.

Background Data And Objective: Surgery for recurrent sinusitis with diffuse polyposis is challenging since tortuous sinus anatomy and bleeding tendency can make revision surgery particularly difficult. We report the efficacy in using KTP laser under the assistance of endoscope to perform sinus clear-out procedure for patients with recurrent ethmoid polyposis.

Materials And Methods: Thirteen patients with recurrent ethmoid polyposis underwent this procedure between November 1996 and July 2000.