RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of temperature-controlled radiofrequency tissue volume reduction (RFTVR) for the inferior turbinate. RESEARCH DESIGNS: Prospective, single-blinded, experimental clinical trial. METHOD: Twenty patients with nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy were enrolled. Nasal obstruction was compared between before and after the treatment (at 1-3 days, 1 week and 6-8 weeks) of RFTVR using subjective symptom scores, physical findings and videotape images. RESULTS: Improvement of nasal symptoms was observed as early as 1 week after the operation. However, significant improvement was obtained at 6-8 weeks. CONCLUSION: RFTVR for the turbinate may be useful as an alternative approach for the treatment of chronic turbinate hypertrophy.