CO2 Laser Surgery: Risks and Benefits of CO2 laser surgery
Depending on the nature of the condition being treated, the physical condition of the patient, existing and or concurrent medical conditions, results can vary. You should always discuss these options with your physician to help assure that your condition is treated properly and to greatly reduce the potential for risks.
Benefits
Patients who have surgery on their nose or sinuses may find that their difficulty in breathing has been greatly improved providing for both better sleeping and overall health. Additionally where nose surgery is performed to help correct rhinophyma, patients may find a significant cosmetic improvement in how they look and an increase in self-esteem. The benefits of CO2 Laser Surgery include:
- reduced need for anesthesia
- out-patient procedures can be performed in a physician’s office
- decreased recovery time
- improved results
- faster return to work or school
Risks
As with any surgery, there are associated risks involved with or without anesthesia. While your surgery will be performed safely, you should discuss the benefits and risks completely with your physician and make sure that he or she is aware of any pre-existing or concurrent medical conditions.
Although very rare, some of the risks can include:
- failure to improve breathing through the nose, sleep apnea, snoring and mouth breathing
- the need for blood transfusions during surgery.
- infection and/or dehydration requiring the need for intravenous fluids
- prolonged pain and slow healing, which could require a hospital stay