Submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate is a widely practised procedure to improve the nasal airway when nasal obstruction is due to hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate. This paper reports a case of an unusual nasolacrimal complication following submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate, and reviews the relevant literature.

A 33-year-old male patient developed a patulous nasolacrimal duct opening following submucosal diathermy of the inferior turbinate. This resulted in spontaneous reflux of air and nasal mucus on to the ocular surface.

This newly recognised complication of submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate indicates the need to be aware of the potential risk to the nasolacrimal system with this technique.

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of turbinoplasty assisted by microdebrider and by diode laser (980 nm wavelength).

Forty patients suffering from bilateral nasal obstruction were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group was managed with microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty and the other with diode laser assisted turbinoplasty. The patients were followed up for six months post-operatively.

After six months, total success rates were 90 per cent for the microdebrider group and 85 per cent for the diode laser group. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding success rate, post-operative complications or operative time.

These two techniques are equally safe, reliable, successful and non-invasive.