COMPARISON OF SUB MUCOSAL DIATHERMY AND PARTIAL RESECTION OF INFERIOR TURBINATE IN THE TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC SANAL VALVE BLOCKAGE

OBJECTIVEES: To evaluate the efficacy of sub mucosal diathermy (SMD) and partial resection of inferior turbinate (PRIT) in the treatment of symptomatic enlarged inferior turbinate. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, METHODS: Sixty patents at age group 18 -56 yrs. with symptomatic enlarged inferior turbinate had given choices for SMD and PRIT. All the patients had history of failed medical treatment. RESULTS: Each thirty patients underwent SMD (group I), PRIT (group II), eight patients of group l, have anterior nasal packing after surgery for bleeding. Four patients complained of excessive rhinorrhea for first 2 weeks while 4 patients of Group 1 complained of nasal blockage for 1 week even after intervention. In group 2, 8 patients have re-anterior nasal packing after pack removal. Both groups followed up for 6 months. 13 patients were lost in follow up, so excluded from the study. Following 6 months of follow up, 8 patient of group I had recurrence with nasal blockage and in gr. II none had recurrence. CONCLUSION: PRIT is better than SMD in long course; nevertheless it should be reserved for failed SMD, not as a primary option. Ink described the nasal valve in 1903. The nasal valve is formed medially by the septum and laterally by the caudal edge of the upper lateral cartilage and it accounts for approximately 50% of total upper airway resistance. The anterior tip of the inferior turbinate is found in the nasal valve region, and hypertrophy of this structure can cause exponential increase in airway resistance.