Functional Aqualaser ® Sinuscopy: A Safe Technique for the Treatment of Severe Nasal Polyposis

Abstract

All degrees of sinonasal polyposis now can be surgically treated with minimal bleeding, no packing, and no vasoconstrictors. The Aqualaser technique uses warmed isotonic irrigation to produce vasoconstriction of the mucosa and to clear the field of debris and secretions. This results in an improvement in visualization of the anatomical landmarks and of the pathologic process(es) present. The contact YAG laser is used as a heating element. This "laserized water" results in "cooking" of the polyps (controlling the bleeding) prior to gently coddling away the abnormal tissues with Aquadissection (warm water dissection). The instrumentation used and the technique is explained. Over 2,000 procedures were reviewed resulting in no major ocular or intracranial complications.