Coblation inferior turbinate reduction versus inferior turbinectomy with debrider / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE To compare coblation inferior turbinate reduction with inferior turbinectomy by evaluating the differences in the degree ofintraoperative bleeding,degree of post-operative pain,and short-term efficacy in treating inferior turbinate hypertrophy. METHODS Thirty-nine patients were involved in this study. Twenty-five underwent coblation inferior turbinate reduction,and fourteen were treated with inferior turbinectomy with debrider. Subjective symptoms and the inferior turbinate scores were assessed prior to and at 1,3 and 6 months after treatment. In the coblation group,4-6 tunnels were made in each inferior turbinate with Reflex 45 wand under local anesthesia with endoscope. In the control group,debrider was used to remove the hypertropic mucosa of inferior turbinates under endoscope, after which nasal package were used for 2 days to stop the bleeding. RESULTS Coblation inferior turbinate reduction resulted in little intraoperative bleeding and a significant reduction in post-operative pain. At the month 1 follow-up,the severity and the frequency of nasal obstruction were significantly improved in both the coblation and control group. The inferior turbinates were found to have significantly decreased in size in both groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups. At the month 3 follow-up,these improvements were also significant,and the frequency of nasal obstruction was significantly more reduced in the coblation group. The results from the month 6 follow-up conformed to those from the month 3 follow-up. CONCLUSION Coblation inferior turbinectomy is a safe procedure that is easily performed under local anesthsia and results in a significant improvement of nasal obstruction in patients with turbinate hypertrophy. The volumes of the inferior turbinates were alsosignificantly reduced. This procedure is as effective as inferior turbinectomy with debrider. The clinical benefitpersists at 6 months after the procedure.