Yusubov, Seymur Hacettepe University - School of Medicine - Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Turkey , Turan, Ergin Hacettepe University - School of Medicine - Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Turkey , Karahan, Sevilay Hacettepe University - School of Medicine - Department of Biostatistics, Turkey

Comparison of the outcomes of partial turbinectomy and radiofrequency tissue ablation of inferior turbinates

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Aim. One of the major causes of chronic nasal airway obstruction is inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Partial turbinectomy is a classical way of solution; however radiofrequency tissue ablation of inferior turbinates is a realatively new method. Comparison of the nasal function was made after treatment by partial turbinectomy and radiofrequency tissue ablation of the inferior turbinates using subjective symptom scores and objective tests. Methods. 12 of the patients (24 turbinates) with chronic nasal obstruction due to turbinate hypertrophy were treated by radiofrequency tissue ablation (RFTA), another 11 patients (22 turbinates) were treated by partial turbinectomy (PT). Preoperatively and at the postoperative 6th week; acoustic rhinometry, saccharin test, and evaluation of the nasal obstruction complaint by visual analogue scale (VAS) were done. The patients were followed by weekly nasal endoscopy and VAS scores during the postoperative 6 weeks. Results. In both groups postoperative acoustic rhinomety results were significantly higher than preoperative ones (p 0.05). There was not any significant difference between the groups in the improvement of the acoustic rhinometry results (p 0.05). There was not a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative saccharin test results in both groups (p 0.05). When the VAS scores were compared, PT group’s nasal obstruction scores appear to be significantly less than RFTA group’s scores, beginning from the first week (p 0.05). Endoscopic follow-up during the next 6 weeks revealed that edema and secretions were significantly more in RFTA group, whereas crusts were significantly more in PT group (p 0.05). Conclusion. Both methods were found to have good results in solving nasal breathing problems and preserving nasal mucociliary function. By weekly follow-ups, PT was found to solve breathing problems more rapidly than RFTA.

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Acoustic rhinometry , saccharin test , turbinate hypertrophy , allergic rhinitis , nasal obstruction

Cumhuriyet Medical Journal

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