FDA Clears Treatment for Enlarged Turbinates

ArthroCare Corp. (Sunnyvale, CA) has received FDA clearance to market its minimally invasive Coblation-Channeling technology for the treatment of enlarged turbinates and for submucosal tissue shrinkage.

Enlarged turbinates, which can result in chronic nasal congestion and upper airway obstruction, can be treated in an office environment with ArthroCare's ear, nose, and throat surgical system and the company's Reflex disposable surgical device.

In using the technique to debulk the inferior turbinates, the surgeon ablates the enlarged tissue by channeling into the turbinate of each nostril to provide immediate relief. As the remaining turbinate tissue heals, it shrinks and stiffens over time, providing further relief. Shrinkage of submucosal tissue can be applied to structures such as tonsils and base of tongue to provide relief of upper airway obstructions.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and takes less than one minute per nostril.

Edited by Ursula Jones