Mini Inferior Turbinoplasty-Tunneling Technique

Abstract

Techniques for inferior turbinate reduction vary with various surgical methods, which differ in the approach of preservation of tissue from total turbinectomy to limited submucosal cauterization. Our preferred method to address hypertrophic inferior turbinate by mini turbinoplasty-tunneling technique are presented. Critical steps include creation of window in the inferior turbinate with a 4 mm microdebrider blade and removal of both inferior turbinate mucosal hypertrophy and bony component to convert a convex looking inferior turbinate to concave shape. This allows proper debulking of the entire medial aspect of the inferior turbinate and widening of the nasal valve area. Mini turbinoplasty-tunneling technique for hypertrophic inferior turbinates, is a safe method in achieving turbinate size reduction with minimal morbidity and long-term relief of nasal obstructive symptoms without added risk of complications.

Mini Inferior Turbinoplasty-Tunneling Technique Versus Conventional Partial Inferior Turbinectomy in Adults: A Comparative Study

“…In agreement with another study which concluded that about 7% of patient who do Mini inferior turbinoplasty tunneling technique suffered from postoperative bleeding which were near to the results in this study. [9] Also another study reported that about 55% of patient who had Conventional partial inferior turbinectomy suffered from post-operative bleeding which were near to the results in this study. [8] There was significant difference between the two groups in the present study according to post-operative crustation which were more in group B (Conventional partial inferior turbinectomy) than group A (Mini inferior turbinoplasty tunneling technique).…”

“…[2] Also another study reported that no need for anterior nasal packing after Mini Inferior Turbinoplasty Tunneling Technique. [9] There was significant difference between the two groups in the present study according to post-operative bleeding, in group A (Mini inferior turbinoplasty tunneling technique) was 5% and in group B (Conventional partial inferior turbinectomy) was 60%.…”

“…[2] While another study reported that the average time in Mini inferior turbinoplasty tunneling technique was 12 minutes. [9] Bleeding intra-operatively was significantly more in group B (Conventional partial inferior turbinectomy) than group A (Mini inferior turbinoplasty tunneling technique), the average in group B was 63 ml while in group A was 19 ml.…”

“…In agreement with another study which concluded that post-operative crustation in Mini inferior turbinoplasty tunneling technique less than in Conventional partial inferior turbinectomy. [9] Also another study reported that there were severe crustation after Conventional partial inferior turbinectomy that need more time to relief. [12] There was no significant difference between the two groups in the present study according to postoperative synechia, which were 10% in group A (Mini inferior turbinoplasty tunneling technique) and 20% in group B (Conventional partial inferior turbinectomy).…”

“…Chronic nasal obstruction can substantially affect quality of life, productivity, and work especially when medical therapies fail, so surgical management is often recommended. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Inferior turbinate reduction is a well-described procedure performed whenever medical treatment for patients with hypertrophic inferior turbinates or vasomotor rhinitis fails. There are several techniques of turbinate reduction that include turbinectomy, submucous diathermy, inferior turbinoplasty, cryotherapy, CO2 laser turbinoplasty, Coblation channelling and others.…”