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Endoscopic Inferior Turbinate Reduction: An Outcomes Analysis
Author(s) -
Gupta Ashmit,
Mercurio Eduardo,
Bielamowicz Steven
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-200111000-00016
Subject(s) - medicine , airway obstruction , adverse effect , surgery , nose , incidence (geometry) , airway , anesthesia , physics , optics
Objectives/Hypothesis In a previous publication, we introduced an endoscopic technique for the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The technique, a modification of the procedure popularized by Mabry, involves resecting the inferior and lateral aspects of the inferior turbinate with a microdebrider under endoscopic guidance. Our preliminary postoperative results were favorable. All 20 patients experienced improvement by postoperative day 5 and the incidence of complications over the first 6 months after surgery was low. The objective of this study is to perform a long‐term outcomes analysis of patients undergoing the procedure. Study Design Follow‐up survey questionnaire and analysis. Methods We sent questionnaires to 60 patients, ranging from 6 to 40 months after surgery, inquiring about continued use of nasal medications, need for further surgery, presence of adverse effects, and improvement in symptoms. Nasal airway obstruction was assessed on a subjective scoring scale from 1 (no obstruction) to 6 (complete obstruction). Results Of the 28 (47%) patients who returned questionnaires, the severity of daytime nasal obstruction was rated as 2.3 and nighttime nasal obstruction as 2.7. The use of nasal steroids and oral decongestants was 25% and 21%, respectively. Adverse effects were minimal and all but one patient (96%) experienced improvement in their nasal airway. Conclusion These results confirm the long‐term effectiveness of this procedure for the relief of nasal obstruction.