Comparison of Endoscopic Partial Inferior Turbinectomy, Submucosal Radiofrequency Volume Reduction and Inferior Turbinoplasty in Patients with Hypertrophied Inferior Turbinates

Abstract
Background: Chronic nasal obstruction is a global health problem affecting large number of population all over the world. Hypertrophy of the Inferior Turbinates (HIT) is one of the leading causes of nasal obstruction. There is no con-sensus for best method of inferior turbinate volume reduction.
Objective: To compare between the endoscopic Partial Inferior Turbinectomy (PIT), Radiofrequency Assisted Tur-binate volume Reduction (RATR) and submucosal resection (SMR) of the inferior turbinate in success of turbinate size reduction with preservation of the physiological functions of the inferior turbinate.
Study Design and Setting: A prospective randomized clinical trial in a tertiary care center.
Patients and Methods: 150 patients diagnosed to have (HIT) were randomly selected and allocated into 3 groups for the 3 treatment options. The patients were evaluated pre-operatively and post-operatively by a modified Arabic trans-lation of the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (MA-SNOT16 test) and rigid nasal endoscopy. A p-value of less than 0.001 was considered statistically significant.
Results: There was statistically significant improvement in MA-SNOT16 score post-operatively in all groups which continued to be improved more in SMR group. Least operative time was in RATR group and more crustations. Slightly better long term follow-up was observed in SMR group.
Conclusion: There is no consensus on one surgical tech-nique for the inferior turbinate volume reduction. Still there is a need for systematic reviews and meta-analysis to reach the best option.