鼻内镜下改良下鼻甲成形术与下鼻甲低温等离子消融加骨折外移术治疗重度慢性肥厚性鼻炎的临床对比研究

目的 将鼻内镜下改良下鼻甲成形术与下鼻甲低温等离子消融加骨折外移术治疗重度慢性肥厚性鼻炎(下鼻甲黏膜、骨膜及骨质均增生肥大、鼻甲形态异常、VAS评分重度)进行对比研究。 方法 回顾性分析124例重度慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者,按照手术方式分为A(64例)、B(60例)两组,A组采用改良下鼻甲成形术,B组采用下鼻甲低温等离子消融加骨折外移术。术前1周、术后6个月、术后12个月分别用VAS标准评分患者鼻腔症状。糖精试验评价术前1周及术后6个月两组患者鼻腔黏膜纤毛传送功能。术前1周及术后6个月测定鼻阻力,评定鼻塞改善情况。 结果 下鼻甲低温等离子消融加骨折外移术组术中出血、手术时间较改良下鼻甲成形组明显减少,且术后并发症较少;术后6个月两种患者鼻塞均有显著改善;两种手术方式对鼻腔黏膜纤毛功能均无明显影响。A组平均手术时间27.80 min、并发症发生率9.38%,B组平均手术时间19.10 min、并发症发生率6.67%。两组患者术后6个月VAS平均评分差异无统计学意义(P=0.12),术后12个月差异有统计学意义(P=0.03)。 结论 改良下鼻甲成形术与下鼻甲低温等离子消融加骨折外移术治疗重度慢性肥厚性鼻炎近期效果(6个月内)都良好,但远期效果(1年以上)改良下鼻甲成形术效果更好,因而建议对于重度慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者应因人而异精准诊疗。     

Long-term results of trimming of the inferior turbinates

The long-term benefit of trimming of the inferior turbinates for nasal obstruction is unclear and our aim was to assess this. Fourteen patients who had had pre-operative nasal symptom scores and anterior rhinomanometry prior to inferior turbinate resection were reassessed at least 7 years post-operatively. Both nasal symptom scores for obstruction and nasal resistance had increased significantly in the intervening time period. Nasal crusting and hypertrophy of the cut inferior turbinate are considered to be responsible for this. Patients should be warned some degree of nasal obstruction may recur post-operatively.     

Coblation versus microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty for endoscopic inferior turbinates reduction

ObjectivePatients suffering from persistent inferior turbinates hypertrophy refractory to medical treatments require surgical intervention where the main aim is symptomatic relief without any complications. Extraturbinoplasty is one of the preferred procedures for turbinate reduction due to its efficacy in freeing up nasal space by removing the obstructing soft tissue and bone while preserving the turbinate mucosa. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of microdebrider assisted turbinoplasty (MAT) and coblation assisted turbinoplasty (CAT) performed as an extraturbinoplasty procedure.MethodsA prospective randomized comparative trial was conducted among patients with bilateral nasal blockage secondary to inferior turbinates hypertrophy. Patients were randomly assigned to MAT or CAT. An extraturbinal medial flap turbinoplasty was performed for both techniques. Symptom assessment was based on the visual analogue score for nasal obstruction, sneezing, rhinorrhea, headache and hyposmia. Turbinate size, edema and secretions were assessed by nasoendoscopic examination. The assessments were done preoperatively, at 1st postoperative week, 2nd and 3rd postoperative months. Postoperative morbidity like pain, bleeding, crusting and synechiae were documented. The clinical outcomes of both techniques were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.ResultsA total of 33 participants were recruited, 17 patients randomized for MAT and 16 patients for CAT. Nasal obstruction, discharge, sneezing, headache and hyposmia significantly reduced from 1st week until 3 months for both procedures. Similar significant reductions were seen for turbinate size, edema and secretions. However, there was no significant difference in symptoms and turbinate size reduction were seen between both groups at the first postoperative week, 2nd and 3rd postoperative months. There was significant longer operating time for CAT when compared to MAT (p = 0.001). The postoperative complications of bleeding, crusting and synechiae did not occur in both groups.ConclusionBoth MAT and CAT were equally effective in improving nasal symptoms and achieving turbinate size reduction in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Both MAT and CAT offer maximal relieve in patients experiencing inferior turbinates hypertrophy by removing the hypertrophied soft tissue together with the turbinate bone without any complications.     

Long-term efficacy of microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty with lateralization for hypertrophic inferior turbinates in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the long‐term efficacy of microdebrider‐assisted inferior turbinoplasty with lateralization (MAITL) compared to submucosal resection for hypertrophic inferior turbinates. Study Design: Surgical outcomes were evaluated with respect to visual analogue scale, anterior rhinomanometry, and saccharin test results. Methods: From January 2002 to December 2006 inclusively, 160 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and hypertrophic inferior turbinates were enrolled into this study. The patients, all suffering from chronic nasal obstruction, were randomly classified into two groups, MAITL group or SR group, each comprised of 80 patients. Ten patients who did not display any nasal discomfort served as normal controls. For the submucosal resection group, patients underwent submucosal resection of the inferior turbinate, whereas patients in the MAITL group underwent microdebrider‐assisted inferior turbinoplasty with lateralization. Assessments (visual analogue scale, anterior rhinomanometry, and saccharin test) were conducted prior to the surgery and 1, 2, and 3 years after completion of surgery. Results: Compared to preoperative values, subjective complaints including nasal obstruction, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and snoring improved significantly in both groups at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery in both groups (P < .05 for all). Rhinomanometric assessment also showed significant improvement at 1, 2, and 3 years postoperatively in both groups (P < .05 for all). Saccharin transit time was significantly decreased (P < .05 for all) compared to preoperative values 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery in both groups. Conclusion: Microdebrider‐assisted inferior turbinoplasty with lateralization appears to be as effective as submucosal resection at relieving nasal symptoms and decreasing total nasal resistance and saccharin transit times for more than 3 years in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis who have had substantial nasal obstruction.     

等离子下鼻甲部分消融术与吸切钻下鼻甲部分切除术

目的比较等离子下鼻甲部分消融术与吸切钻下鼻甲部分切除术对慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者术中、术后的影响。方法等离子组患者25例,对照组14例。等离子组用低温等离子射频消融系统连接45号刀头,行下鼻甲前、后部中隔侧的4～6通道消融。对照组用吸切钻自前向后切割下鼻甲肥厚黏膜,术后需填塞止血2日。术后患者对疼痛和鼻堵程度采用VAS评分。术前、术后1个月、3个月、6个月均由医师对每侧下鼻甲进行评分,由患者评估鼻堵程度和频度。结果等离子组术中出血较对照组明显减少,术后疼痛和鼻堵程度较轻。术后1个月等离子组和对照组的鼻堵程度、鼻堵频度和下鼻甲体积较术前均有明显改善,二者改善的程度无明显差别。术后3个月两种术式均疗效稳定且等离子组鼻堵频度进一步改善。术后6个月两种术式疗效依然稳定。结论等离子下鼻甲部分消融术创伤小,术中、术后出血少,痛苦小;术后1个月患者主观症状与客观体征均有明显改善;术后3个月患者主观症状进一步改善;术后6个月内疗效均稳定且与吸切钻下鼻甲部分切除术疗效相当。     

Submucosal bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of inferior turbinates: a long-term follow-up with subjective and objective assessment

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and morbidity of bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of the inferior turbinates in patients with nasal obstruction caused by turbinate hypertrophy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized study and outpatient treatment. METHODS: Twenty patients (age range, 23-77 y; median age, 52 y) enrolled in the study. There was one dropout. All the patients had nasal blockage despite medical treatment. Bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation was delivered to inferior turbinates at 100 kHz with a voltage root mean square value of 168 to 182. The preoperative and postoperative nasal functions were investigated by immediate and long-term visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of symptom parameters, olfactory thresholds, saccharine transit time, rhinomanometry, and acoustic rhinometry. The follow-up was conducted at 1 week and 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The VAS scores of subjective complaints (nasal discharge, itching, sneezing, crusting) decreased, and the VAS scores of evaluation of the effectiveness (frequency of nasal obstruction, degree of nasal obstruction, and patient satisfaction) increased statistically significantly in the 12-month follow-up without relapses. There were no adverse effects on nasal epithelial clearance time and olfactory functions. In rhinomanometry the changes in total nasal resistance and response to the vasoconstrictor agent were not statistically significant. In acoustic rhinometry the change in the sum of both nasal cavity volumes from nostril to 5 cm was statistically significant 6 and 12 months after the treatments. The difference between the preoperative and postoperative vasoconstrictive effect was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of inferior turbinates is a promising alternative, which should be considered when planning inferior turbinate interventions.     

Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) of inferior turbinates: a new method in the treatment of chronic nasal obstruction

Twenty-two Caucasians (16 male and 6 female) with chronic bilateral nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates were followed up over a three-month period. They were assessed by clinical examination, as active anterior rhinometry, and acoustic rhinometry before and after topical decongestion, preoperatively and three months after surgery. All patients were treated by application of radiofrequency-volumetric-tissue reduction (RFVTR, or somnoplasty) to both inferior turbinates. Initial postoperative edematous response disappeared during the first week after RFVTR. Three months postoperatively 20 of 22 patients (91%) reported subjective improvement of nasal patency. The average cross-sectional area for both sides of the nasal cavity (measured at the head of the inferior turbinate (C-Notch) before decongestion) increased in 15 of 22 patients (68.2%). This means a significant improvement from 1.24 to 1.49 cm2 for both sides of the nasal cavity (p = 0.0054). We conclude that RFVTR can safely reduce turbinate volume in a precise manner in patients with nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates.     

Microdebrider-assisted versus laser-assisted turbinate reduction: comparison of improvement in nasal airway according to type of turbinate hypertrophy

A case-control study was conducted at our secondary referral hospital to compare the efficacy of microdebrider-assisted turbinate reduction (MATR) with laser-assisted turbinate reduction (LATR) and to evaluate their efficacy according to types of hypertrophic inferior turbinates. All patients who underwent only inferior turbinate surgery for refractory nasal obstruction were included. The required minimum follow-up period was 3 months postoperatively. Thirty-seven patients were enrolled in this study-22 in the MATR group and 15 in the LATR group. The patients were subclassified into mucosal (n = 14) and bone (n = 23) hypertrophy groups. Subjective (visual analogue scale) and objective (endoscopic score) assessments were performed prior to surgery and 3 months after surgery. Generally, the visual analogue scale and endoscopic score were significantly improved after surgery, in both the MATR and the LATR groups. In the MATR group, the visual analogue scale and endoscopic score improved regardless of type of hypertrophy. However, in the LATR group, these measurements improved only in cases with mucosal hypertrophy. We conclude that both MATR and LATR are good surgical techniques in patients with chronic hypertrophic inferior turbinates who have substantial nasal obstruction. However, MATR is superior to LATR, especially in cases with bone hypertrophy.     

Comparison of ultrasound turbinate reduction, radiofrequency tissue ablation and submucosal cauterization in inferior turbinate hypertrophy

Chronic nasal obstruction owed to chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is a common cause of nasal airway obstruction. In cases unresponsive to conservative treatment, various surgical techniques are commonly performed, but the issue of the optimal surgical procedure is still controversial. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound treatment of the hypertrophied inferior turbinates, which is a technique recently applied in rhinologic surgery. We aimed, also, to compare this method with the radiofrequency cold coblation turbinate reduction and the traditional submucosal monopolar inferior turbinate cauterization. We studied prospectively 60 patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis of nonallergic etiology, who underwent different surgical methods of turbinate reduction, divided into two groups: (1) in 30 patients, inferior turbinate volume reduction using ultrasound procedure on the left side and monopolar diathermy on the right was performed; (2) in 30 patients, radiofrequency coblation technique on the left side and ultrasound turbinate reduction on the right side was undertaken. Subjective evaluation of nasal obstruction and pain was performed using visual analog scales and objective evaluation of the surgical outcome was obtained using active anterior rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry. Examinations were performed preoperatively, and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Both subjective and objective evaluation showed significant postoperative improvement in all cases. The best results were obtained with the ultrasound procedure, and second with the radiofrequency technique. The least improvement was observed in the electrocautery group, although its results did not differ significantly from the radiofrequency group. It may be, thus, concluded that ultrasound turbinate reduction is an effective and safe procedure for the management of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, in patients failing to respond to medical treatment. Using this method, better results were obtained in decreasing subjective symptoms and nasal obstruction, in comparison with radiofrequency and electrocautery.     

Histopathology of the inferior turbinate with compensatory hypertrophy in patients with deviated nasal septum

OBJECTIVE: To measure the dimensions, composition, and possible structural and/or histopathological changes of the compensatory hypertrophic inferior turbinate in patients with deviated nasal septum. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, nonrandomized, and morphometric study. METHODS: Nineteen patients with deviated nasal septum and compensatory hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate in the contralateral nasal cavity underwent surgery for correction of nasal obstruction. Patients' specimens were compared with those of a control group consisting of 10 inferior turbinates removed at autopsy. Quantitative measurements of the inferior turbinate histological sections were carried out and included the width of the layers and morphometric calculations of the relative proportions of the soft tissue constituents. Also, qualitative study was performed to detect pathological changes. RESULTS: Of all layers, the inferior turbinate bone underwent a twofold increase in thickness and manifested the most significant expansion (P < or =.001), whereas the contribution of the mucosal layers to the inferior turbinate hypertrophy was modest. The morphometric analysis revealed a larger proportion of venous sinusoids in hypertrophic turbinates, but the difference was small and statistically insignificant. Qualitative assessment disclosed normal mucosal architecture in all inferior turbinates with compensatory hypertrophy. Eleven remained intact, while eight disclosed mild to moderate pathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: The data gathered in the present study are of importance to the decision-making process regarding turbinate surgery. The significant bone expansion and the relative minor role played by the mucosal hypertrophy would support the decision to excise the inferior turbinate bone at the time of septoplasty.     

A safe, alternative technique for inferior turbinate reduction

OBJECTIVE: Submucous resection of the inferior turbinates is a conventional technique for reducing their size to achieve patent nasal airways in situations where an enlarged turbinate contributes to airway obstruction. Many techniques and complications have been described in the past. We describe a new inferior turbinate reduction technique performed with powered instrumentation and assess its success and complication rates. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of 120 consecutive patients who underwent submucous resection of the inferior turbinates with a microdebrider. METHODS: Patient questionnaires were used for subjective assessment of symptoms before and after the procedure. We graded each patient's inferior turbinates for size from I to III before and 6 weeks after surgery for objective analysis. RESULTS: The common complications of standard submucous resection of inferior turbinates include excessive resection, postoperative bleeding, and crusting. The advantage of the microdebrider technique is the precise control of the amount of tissue and location of tissue that is removed on a submucosal plane. The complications encountered with this technique are limited to postoperative bleeding that occurred in 1.6% of patients. There was no crusting or excessive removal of tissue. CONCLUSION: The results show that submucous resection of inferior turbinates with a microdebrider is a safe method of achieving turbinate size reduction with minimal morbidity.     

Diode laser treatment of hypertrophic inferior turbinates and evaluation of the results with acoustic rhinometry

Inferior turbinate hypertrophy is the most common cause of chronic nasal obstruction. When conservative medical treatment options fail in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy, reduction of the inferior turbinate can be performed using surgical techniques. Laser-assisted turbinate surgery has the advantages of limited tissue trauma and reduced bleeding. We evaluated the effectiveness and outcomes of using a diode laser (λ?=?980?nm) in turbinate reduction. Our study included 62 patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates, who did not respond to medical treatment (≥1?year). Patients were treated with diode laser between January 2009 and December 2010 in our ENT (ear, nose, and throat) department. Subjective outcome of severity of nasal obstruction was assessed on a standard 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). Acoustic rhinometry was used to measure nasal patency. The cross-sectional areas 1, 2, and 3 and the volumes between 2.5 and 5.5?cm were measured. VAS scores and acoustic rhinometry measurements were performed preoperatively and 1, 6, and 12?months after surgery. The mean follow-up was 13.1?±?1?months. The mean operation time was 3?min per turbinate; no nasal packing was necessary. We did not observe any major complications. Both subjective and objective evaluations showed significant improvement. VAS scores improved, the mean MCA2, MCA3, and V2–5 measurements increased significantly 1?year after surgery. In the first year after surgery, 53 of 62 (85.4%) patients reported marked improvements in nasal breathing. Our results showed that, objectively and subjectively, the success rates in diode laser-assisted turbinate reduction were satisfactory. The diode laser, being one of the most portable and least expensive of the lasers available for turbinate surgery, makes it possible for turbinate reduction to be performed under topical anesthesia within a short period of time with excellent patient acceptance.     

A review of outcomes following inferior turbinate reduction surgery in children for chronic nasal obstruction

Background

The surgical management of enlarged inferior turbinates in children is controversial. The evidence base for turbinate surgery is weak and surgeons empirically offer surgery where the predominant symptom was nasal obstruction.

Objective

To evaluate the evidence for inferior turbinate surgery in children suffering with chronic nasal congestion.

Methods

A structured review of the PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Collaboration databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews) was undertaken, using the MeSH terms: nasal obstruction, turbinates, surgery and children. Only articles focusing on turbinate surgery with an exclusively paediatric cohort were included.

Results

Eleven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The ages of the children ranged from 1 to 17 years at the time of surgery and were followed-up for a period of 3 months to 14 years. Surgical indication for all studies was chronic nasal congestion, resistant to a trial of medical treatment for 2-3 months preceding surgery. Of the 730 cases reviewed, 79.1% had turbinate surgery as the standalone procedure. The remaining 21.9% had other concurrent procedures performed, the most common being adeno-tonsillectomy. Although all studies generally supported the effectiveness of turbinate reduction surgery for inferior turbinate hypertrophy, the outcome measures used were varied and did not allow comparison across studies.

Conclusions

There is currently little evidence to support turbinate reduction surgery in children. The role of surgery, if any, has not been properly examined. Furthermore, the long-term effects on nasal airflow dynamics, nasal physiology and long-term complications remain to be studied.     

Trimming of the inferior turbinates: a prospective long-term study

The aim of this study was to determine whether the initial benefits of radical trimming and anterior trimming of the inferior turbinates on nasal airflow persisted in the long term. Radical trimming significantly reduced nasal resistance at 2 months following operation (n = 12) (P less than 0.005). There was no significant change in nasal resistance over the next 20 months. Symptom scores for nasal obstruction also showed a significant reduction (n = 16) (P less than 0.005), at 2 months, and did not change significantly over the next 20 months. Radical trimming of the inferior turbinates is a highly effective operation in patients with hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates with few initial complications. However, further analysis of the data revealed that up to 20% of patients lose the initial subjective benefit of relief of nasal obstruction within 2 years of follow-up. Late onset crusting occurs in some patients though this is not directly attributable to an increase in nasal airflow. This study also concludes that anterior trimming of the inferior turbinates cannot be recommended as a form of treatment.     

Cryosurgery of the inferior nasal turbinates

Forty-seven patients with irreversible nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy were treated by cryosurgery, the short and medium term results having been clinically evaluated. Permanent good results in nasal breathing were achieved in 83% of the patients. Failures are mostly related to turbinates hypertrophy due to nasal allergy. The combination of cryosurgery and nasal septoplasty, in cases of hypertrophy associated with deformities of nasal septum, gives an excellent result. Cryosurgery of hypertrophic nasal turbinates is a simple, safe, and reliable procedure to improve nasal breathing in cases of nasal turbinate hypertrophy.     

Bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of the inferior turbinates: evaluation of short-term efficacy in a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial

The objective of the study was to assess the short-term efficacy of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) of the inferior turbinates in patients with nasal obstruction caused by turbinate hypertrophy. The study is a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. A total of 22 patients (age range 21–72 years; median age 41 years) were randomized into two treatment arms. Using a bipolar radiofrequency system, the first group (VP-group) received RFVTR (verum = V) first (at t1) followed by a placebo treatment (P) 6–8 weeks later (at t2). The PV-group was treated with placebo first at t1 and received RFVTR at t2. Subjects in both groups underwent identical procedures in an office-based setting. Delivery of radiofrequency energy was the only difference between the two groups. The outcome measures assessed were rhinomanometry, physician’s evaluation of the degree of hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates and patients’ estimation of nasal obstruction. Physician and patient evaluations were documented using a score ranging from 0 = none to 4 = severe. Evaluation was performed 6–8 weeks after every intervention. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy improved significantly in both groups after RFVTR was performed (VP-group: p < 0.001; PV-group: p = 0.002). Nasal obstruction also decreased only after RFVTR (VP-group: p = 0.004, PV-group: p = 0.002). This study confirmed the safety of bipolar RFVTR as an office-based treatment of nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy. We could prove that RFVTR is superior to placebo for reduction in turbinate hypertrophy and subjective improvement in nasal obstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first level I study proving the short-term efficacy of a bipolar radiofrequency system. Level of evidence 1b.     

Argon plasma surgery for treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy: a long-term follow-up in 157 patients

Chronic nasal obstruction is a common disorder, mostly caused by hypertrophic inferior turbinates. In cases of nonresponse to conservative medical management, the surgical reduction of the inferior turbinates is often required. Surgical techniques for the reduction of hyperplastic nasal turbinates include monopolar or bipolar coagulation, partial or total reduction of the turbinates with a conchotome or scissors and laser surgery with Nd:YAG, CO(2) or KTP. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a new, innovative technique in otorhinolaryngology which is based on high-frequency electrocoagulation with an argon gas source. The fast and short surgery times, the absence of hemorrhagic complications and, in rhinosurgery, the complete abstention from any kind of nasal packing are remarkable. Between March and November 2000, a group of 157 patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates were treated using APC, at the Otorhinolaryngology Surgery Department of the Hospital of Dolo (Venice). The follow-up period was 24 months. Rhinomanometry was performed to objectively measure the nasal obstruction and to verify the postoperative improvement. The Student t test was used for statistical data. After 24 months, 87% (p < 0.001) of the patients reported to have a better nasal airflow than before the operation. None of the patients needed a nasal packing after APC surgery. The indication, advantages, complications, controversies and long-term results of the treatment with APC in rhinosurgery are reviewed and discussed.     

Ho:YAG laser treatment of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates.

OBJECTIVES: Although preliminary studies about the successful use of the Ho:YAG laser in nasal turbinate surgery have been reported, no clinical study has been performed on this procedure. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to assess the long-term effect of Ho:YAG laser in the treatment of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates. METHODS: Eighty-five patients with nasal obstruction who did not respond to conservative medical treatment were treated with a pulsed Ho:YAG laser (wavelength of =2080 nm). Fifty-two of these patients were included in this clinical study and were followed for 1 year. RESULTS: Within the first 2 weeks, nasal obstruction was correlated to the extent of nasal crusting. Six months after laser treatment, the mucociliary function test showed no variation compared with the preoperative measurements. One year after laser treatment 77% of the patients demonstrated improved nasal airflow on rhinomanometry and questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: Ho:YAG-laser treatment of hyperplastic turbinates can be performed as outpatient surgery under local anesthesia and offers controllable ablation of soft tissue in a short operation time with satisfactory results and excellent patient acceptance.     

Surgical treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy with argon plasma: a long-term follow-up in 157 patients

Surgical treatment of the inferior turbinate in patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis that does not respond to medical treatment is a well established procedure. CO2 laser, YAG laser, KTP laser, conventional electrocautery, cryotherapy, chemosurgery and turbinectomy or submucosal turbinectomy have been performed for the removal of nasal obstruction. Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) is a new, innovative technique in Otorhinolaryngology which is based on high-frequency electrocoagulation with an argon-gas source. The shorter surgical times, the absence of hemorrhagic complications and, in rhinosurgery, not requiring any kind of nasal packing are remarkable. Between March and November 2000, a group of 157 patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates were treated using APC, at the Otorhinolaryngology Surgical Department of the Hospital of Dolo (Venice). The follow-up period was 24 months. Rhinomanometry was performed to objectively measure the nasal obstruction and to verify the postoperative improvement. The Student t-test was used for statistical data. After 24 months, 87% (p < 0.001) of patients reported to have a better nasal airflow than before the operation. None of the patients needed a nasal packing after APC surgery. We review and discus the indication, advantages, complications, controversies and long-term results of the treatment with APC in rhinosurgery.     

Partial inferior turbinectomy using the microdébrider

BACKGROUND: A microdébrider was selected to accomplish partial inferior turbinectomy, allowing for controlled and rapid removal of hypertrophic soft tissue while preserving the general turbinate form. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical outcome, healing, and any adverse consequences from the microdébrider partial turbinectomy procedure. SETTING: A public hospital in north-central Israel. DESIGN: A nonrandomized prospective study of 35 adults who were referred for nasal airway surgery, including turbinectomy. METHODS: All patients underwent bilateral inferior turbinate reduction with the microdébrider, with removal of mucosa from the medial and inferior portions of the inferior turbinates. Detailed follow-up was accomplished at 4 or more months postoperatively, including a visual analogue scale questionnaire and videoendoscopy. For seven patients, pre- and postoperative mucosal biopsies were available to evaluate healing and epithelial regeneration. RESULTS: Nasal endoscopy showed well-healed turbinate membranes and preservation of the turbinate form, with widening of the inferomedial nasal airway space. Subjective nasal patency improved after surgery, p < .01, and the subjective sense of smell was improved, p < .01, without associated crusting, pain, irritation, sneezing, or dryness. Postoperative biopsies showed subepithelial fibrosis and regenerated epithelium, generally of respiratory differentiation. CONCLUSION: Inferior turbinate reduction can be accomplished efficiently with the microdébrider device, without undue side effects. SIGNIFICANCE: Further experience and long-term follow-up with this technique are warranted.