Radio wave coagulation of the inferior turbinates using the radiosurgical apparatus “SURGITRON” (USA)

“Surgitron” device An otolaryngologist uses it for:

  • persistent difficulty in nasal breathing,
  • if there is no effect from vasoconstrictor nasal drops,
  • for chronic vasomotor rhinitis,
  • for chronic hypertrophic rhinitis,
  • with snoring (rhonchopathy).

Using the Surgitron device developed by American scientists at the Elman company, an otolaryngologist performs an operation – radio wave coagulation of the inferior nasal concha.

This medical procedure is a minor surgical operation, one of the advantages of which is the ability to operate on a patient without hospitalization (outpatient).

A short period of rehabilitation and recovery after surgery, due to less pronounced swelling of the mucous membrane of the inferior turbinates.

Types of surgery for coagulation of the inferior turbinates:

  • ultrasonic disintegration,
  • laser coagulation,
  • argon plasma coagulation,
  • cold plasma coagulation,
  • cryogenic effect
  • galvanocaustics of the inferior turbinates.

have longer recovery periods. Therefore, radio wave coagulation of the inferior turbinates is preferable. This operation can be put in first place in comparison with the surgical treatment methods listed above.

Preparation for radio wave coagulation of the inferior turbinates

This operation takes no more than 1 hour, with most of the time spent on “preparation”, i.e. anesthesia. First, the doctor performs local application anesthesia by placing a cotton swab moistened with a 10% lidocaine solution into the nasal cavity. Then the doctor performs local infiltration anesthesia, making injections (injections) of Ultracaine DS-Forte into the thickness of the inferior nasal turbinates.

For high-quality and adequate pain relief, it is recommended to perform two injections into each inferior nasal turbinate. The doctor makes the first injection with an insulin syringe with a small and thin needle. At the same time, the patient practically does not feel the injection of the needle, but may feel slight tissue tension due to the “expansion” of the drug in the anterior sections of the inferior turbinate.

The effect of the drug Ultracaine DS-Forte is immediate, and the effect of anesthesia lasts for about 3 – 4 hours, which makes it possible to guarantee an ENT operation on a patient with high-quality anesthesia and enable the patient to get home while under the influence of anesthesia.

The patient does not feel the second injection of Ultracaine DS-Forte, since it is essentially a conduction anesthesia through the anterior to posterior sections of the inferior nasal turbinate. Then the doctor gives the ENT patient the opportunity to get ready for the operation, while the effect of the medications gains full strength.

Radio wave coagulation of the inferior nasal concha The ENT doctor carries out the procedure by inserting an electrode into the thickness of the inferior turbinate for 10 – 20 seconds, depending on the severity of the chronic process.

Another important advantage of this operation is the 100% sterility of this method. This is achieved due to the fact that when you press the pedal and apply a radio wave to the electrode, within 1 mile of a second everything living (bacteria, fungi, viruses, vibrios, spirochetes, protozoa and other microorganisms) that is on the metal spokes of the electrode, the so-called working surfaces die, unable to withstand ultra-high temperatures.

At the same time, it is important that the patient does not have a cold and does not suffer from diseases such as acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia and other acute and chronic bronchopulmonary diseases at the time of the operation. This guarantees the patient the “sterility” of this ENT operation.

With direct radio wave exposure, the patient either does not feel anything or feels a slight, but very tolerable burning or tingling sensation in the nose. Due to the high speed of radio wave exposure, all negative sensations of the patient are minimized.

Another great advantage is the so-called controllability of this operation, since the doctor has the opportunity to set the required frequency of exposure. In fact, this is the force of influence of radio waves on the tissues of the human body. The doctor also has the opportunity to adjust the exposure at his own discretion, i.e. duration of exposure.

The most important and useful condition is that the doctor has the ability to suspend the operation at any time or stop it altogether. Unfortunately, today this is not possible with all operations, including those on ENT organs.

After surgery on the inferior turbinates, the doctor places cotton swabs in the nasal passages in order to avoid possible bleeding and prevent the development of severe swelling of the operated mucous membrane of the nasal cavity.

The patient removes the cotton swabs independently the next morning after the operation, or can go to the clinic where the operation was performed. 10–15 minutes after removing the tampons, postoperative swelling of the tissues of the inferior turbinates and the nasal mucosa develops.

The patient’s nasal breathing will be uncomfortable for 3 to 4 days after surgery, then the swelling of the nasal mucosa will gradually decrease and nasal breathing will be restored.

Another important point in the postoperative course is the formation of “crusts” that complicate and interfere with nasal breathing. The so-called “crusts,” or, if correct, fibrinous-necrotic plaque, are formed 3–4 days after surgery, as a protective layer covering the operated area. At the same time, the nasal cavity needs careful toileting (cleaning), since this plaque tends to glue the mucous membrane of the operated inferior turbinate with the mucous membrane of the nasal septum. In this way, synechiae (adhesions) can form, which in turn will also need to be dissected, preventing the possibility of developing an adhesive process.

The doctor performs a nasal toilet daily or every other day, but only in the clinic with sterile instruments. The patient will not be able to remove the “crusts” from the nose on his own due to their deep location and high adhesive ability. On average, a patient comes to the clinic after surgery for a nasal toilet 3 – 4 times. It all depends on the mechanisms of regeneration and the reproductive ability of the human body.

It is possible to reliably assess the effect and quality of the operation performed only after a month, since only by this time the mucous membrane of the inferior turbinates will be completely restored.

Restrictions after radio wave coagulation of the inferior turbinates

  • complete refusal of vasoconstrictor drops in the nose, since the nose will be able to breathe on its own,
  • restriction of physical activity (fitness, gym) for 2 – 3 weeks, restriction of baths, saunas for up to 1 month, restriction in the consumption of alcoholic beverages for up to 2 – 3 weeks,
  • limiting sexual relations to 2–3 weeks,
  • restriction in very hot foods, as well as spicy, salty, peppery, fried foods for up to 3 – 4 weeks.
  • In the first 14 days after surgery, a calm and measured rhythm of life, no emotional stress, and no overwork are recommended. Among medications, desensitizing (decongestant) therapy and oily nasal drops are recommended.

A preliminary consultation with an otolaryngologist at the Prima Medica medical center is carried out daily. Make an appointment for a consultation by phone +7 495 120-01-07. The cost of services can be viewed here.

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