ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Otorhinolaryngology 2022 December;72(4):160-5

DOI: 10.23736/S2724-6302.22.02418-5

Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Turbinoplasty as recovery surgery in patients with chronic nasal respiratory obstruction refractory to drug treatment

Marco CAPELLI ✉, Patrizia GATTI

ENT Department, Villa Antonella Clinic, Codogno, Lodi, Italy

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophy of the lower turbinates is a frequent clinical problem. It determines an obstructive nasal syndrome that can sometimes lead to a significant worsening of the quality of life of the subjects who suffer from it. The aim of the study was to search for patients who have not responded to medical treatment and then referred for recovery surgery. We also wanted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the surgical procedure in the short term.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on a population of 147 patients suffering from nasal respiratory obstruction between 2017 and 2018. Of these, 27 did not respond satisfactorily to drug treatment and were referred for a surgical solution.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients undergoing turbinoplasty have always reported a subjective improvement and the objective efficacy of the treatment has been demonstrated in all. None of the patients reported any complications. We observed a greater response in terms of volume reduction of the turbinate in patients with grade IV hypertrophy compared to grade III patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Turbinoplasty represents a safe and effective surgical procedure that solves the problem of nasal obstruction when drug treatment fails.

KEY WORDS: Hypertrophy; Radiofrequency therapy; Otolaryngology