Comparison of the Effects of Laser-Assisted Conchotomy (LACON)and Coblation-Assisted Partial Turbinoplasty (CAPT) in Allergic Rhinitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are many operative methods for allergic rhinitis such as partial or total turbinectomy, submucosal resection. Laser- assisted conchotomy (LACON) and coblation-assisted partial turbinoplasty (CAPT) are recently being commonly performed for minimal invasive surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the subjective and objective results in the groups of patients with allergic rhinitis who underwent LACON or CAPT after long term follow up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2006 to January 2007, 64 patients with allergic rhinitis refractory to medical therapy who underwent LACON or CAPT were enrolled in this study. 28 patients had LACON therapy and 36 patients underwent CAPT randomly. The symptom of allergy, duration of crust formation, and nasal patency in acoustic rhinometry were analyzed in months 3, 6, 9, 12 after surgery. RESULTS: With the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the patients who received LACON all reported significant differences in allergic symptoms. However, patients who received CAPT reported significant differences only in nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea. There were no significant differences in both groups in regard to nasal patency change (nasal volume, cm3) and duration of crust formation. CONCLUSION: As LACON is effective on all symptoms and CAPT is effective only on nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea, the procedures can be performed respectively, depending on the symptoms of patients.

Thyroid Cartilage and Vocal Cord Reduction for Androphonia and Male to Female Transsexuals / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is little literature about voice surgery for females with androphonia and male-female transsexuals. Therefore, we introduced surgical techniques and voice results of thyroid cartilage and vocal cord reduction for these patients. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: From May 2001 to January 2007, 3 patients were found with thyroid cartilage and vocal cord reduction. We checked their preoperative and postoperative voice recordings, voice dynamic data and patients' subjective satisfaction with their postoperative voice. The two patients were female with androphonia and the remaining one patient was a male to female transsexuals. RESULTS: All three patients were satisfied with their postoperative voice. In the objective voice recording, the mean fundamental frequency (Fo) increased to 195 Hz from the preoperative value of 148 Hz. Furthermore, the patient who was to undergo the trans-sexual operation was more satisfied by gaining a more female appearance by losing the thyroid cartilage prominence. CONCLUSION: Thyroid cartilage and vocal cord reduction could give satisfactory voice quality to females with androphonia and male-female transsexuals. It is an effective surgical method to elevate vocal pitch. The long-term follow up would be needed.