Endoscopic microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty with and without posterior nasal neurectomy

Abstract

Objective: Endoscopic microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty (EMAIT) has been recognized as an efficient surgical technique in the management of hypertrophied inferior turbinate. In an attempt to further increase surgical successful outcomes, posterior nasal neurectomy (PNN) was developed. The aim of this retrospective case-control study was to assess the position of PNN in the surgery of hypertrophied turbinate.

Methods: Seventy patients were assigned to the two treatment groups: Group A (EMAIT) and Group B (EMAIT and PNN). Subjective outcomes were represented by symptom score and quality of life scores (Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire - RQLQ). Objective outcomes were nasal resistance, saccharin transit time and acoustic rhinometry parameters.

Results: The survey demonstrated that symptoms and objective parameters improved postoperatively in both groups, with no statistical significant differences in objective and subjective outcomes between the surgical groups.

Conclusion: The addition of PNN appears to offer no additional benefit in the subjective and objective outcome related with surgery of hypertrophied inferior turbinate. However, longer follow-up studies and larger number of patients are required in order to validate our results.

Keywords: Acoustic rhinometry; Endoscopic surgery; Microdebrider; Posterior nasal neurectomy; Quality of life; Rhinomanometry; Symptom score; Turbinoplasty.