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Bipolar Radiofrequency‐Induced Thermotherapy of Turbinate Hypertrophy: Pilot Study and 20 Months' Follow‐up
Author(s) -
Seeger Jan,
Zenev Emil,
Gundlach Peter,
Stein Thomas,
Müller Gerhard
Publication year - 2003
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 - 10.1097/00005537-200301000-00024
Subject(s) - medicine , muscle hypertrophy , anesthesia , cardiology
Objectives/Hypothesis The present report is a pilot clinical study about a new bipolar ablation technique for the treatment of turbinate hypertrophy, which offers an alternative to conventional methods. Study Design Prospective, clinical. Methods From August 1999 to March 2000, a new bipolar radiofrequency system with acoustic feedback control was submucosally applied for the treatment of 38 patients with nasal airway obstruction of vasomotor (n = 31) or allergic (n = 7) genesis. The therapy was made ambulatory with surface anesthesia. Data were collected by questionnaire and rhinomanometry preoperatively and 2 and 20 months postoperatively. Results Nearly all patients reported an improvement of their nasal breathing, with 68% of them reporting a full and 29% a partial recovery. No significant differences were reported with regard to the response of the allergic versus the vasomotor rhinitis. On average, a definite benefit was observed after 2 weeks. Side effects, such as bleeding, synechia, or atrophic changes of the mucosa, which would have to be treated, were not observed. Conclusion The new bipolar radiofrequency thermotherapy presents an efficient option for the treatment of turbinate hypertrophy, which meets the requirements for an outpatient treatment.