Laser-generated heat softens cartilage abnormalities in the nose, letting doctors flatten or shape those abnormalities to clear the nasal passages. The outpatient procedure takes six to eight minutes, and requires only a local anesthetic. The report on the procedure appears in the July-September issue of the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

The traditional approach is to use a scalpel to cut cartilage inside the nose and reshape it manually. The surgical wounds have to be closed with stitches. This method is costly, and the patient may need to take time off work during their recovery.

In this study, researchers at Moscow State University used the laser procedure on 110 people between the ages of 11 and 66, and followed their results for an average of 18 months.

The study found that 84 (76 percent) of the people treated with the laser had a reduction of symptoms associated with nasal blockages. In 27 (24 percent) of the people, the nasal abnormalities returned to their original shape.

The septum is the cartilage wall that separates the nostrils. A deviated septum, such as a hole in the septum or other abnormalities, can block the nasal passages and result in breathing difficulties.

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Learn more about deviated septums.