Inferior turbinectomy: Comparison of four techniques

Abstract

As yet, there is no totally satisfactory means for treating hypertrophied turbinates and the proper management of turbinate dysfunction remains in question. In the present series, four of the widely practiced surgical procedures for the reduction of the size of the inferior turbinates were evaluated and compared. In all cases turbinectomy was performed as an isolated procedure. Eighty patients with chronic non-allergic rhinitis and hypertrophied inferior turbinates were selected, randomly divided into four groups, and followed up post-operatively for one year. Study of the results indicated that the beneficial effect of the operation is mainly mechanical by reduction of the resistance to nasal airflow. The post-operative improvement in smell acuity correlated positively with the increased patency of the nasal airway. None of the procedures had a deleterious effect on olfactory acuity. In contrast, the operation failed to enhance the mucociliary clearance rate or significantly decrease nasal drainage. Partial inferior turbinectomy and laser turbinectomy improved nasal breathing in 77 per cent of patients, and enhanced olfactory acuity in 78 per cent of patients who had pre-operative hyposmia. The results of turbinoplasty and cryoturbinectomy were less favourable. The surgical technique, advantages, and drawbacks of each of these procedures are discussed.

Estudo clínico e ultraestrutural pós-turbinectomia inferior parcial

“…The use of oily substance associated to saline solution on the post-operative period could have contributed to less crust build up. Some authors also reported better results with PIT, in relation to other techniques such as, submucosal cauterization, cryotherapy and even the highly-praised inferior turbinoplasty 9,10 . In order to evaluate PIT benefits, it is a must to observe which is the post-operative stage analyzed, as it has been showed in this study, the results may vary according to the period assessed.…”

“…Elwany & Harrison (1990) 9 and Bambirra (1993) 4 reassessed their patients one year after PIT, obtaining 75% and 82.72% improvement in nasal obstruction, respectively. Comparing these results with our study, we could say they are compatible to those results obtained in group A, because it corresponds to an approximately similar post-operative period.…”

Comparative study between partial inferior turbinectomy and submucosal diathermy for treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy due to allergic rhinitis

“…10 Elwany and Harrison also observed post op bleeding in 5% patients & high incidence of postoperative discomfort and headache. 13 A study by Gomma et al showed SMD to be better than PSIT regarding nasal pain and intra-nasal crustations after two weeks, but both techniques were equally effective in improving of nasal obstruction and degree of tissue healing.…”

A Comparative Study of Radiofrequency Assisted Versus Microdebrider Assisted Turbinoplasty in Cases of Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy

“…Various surgical options include laser argon plasma laser [3], CO 2 laser [4], cryocoagulation [5], radiofrequency (RF) [6,7], injection of sclerosing agents with corticosteroids [8], turbinectomy [9], and submucosal ablation by electrocautery [10].…”