Comparison of nasal patency following submucosal diathermy of inferior turbinate versus inferior turbinectomy

ABSTRACT

To compare the nasal patency following sub mucosal diathermy [SMD] of inferior turbinate and inferior turbinectomy [IT]. Randomized controlled trial. Department of ENT Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Study was completed in one year from 15[th] September 2009 to 15[th] September 2010. Total 160 patients with symptomatic inferior turbinate hypertrophy were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 80 each using random numbers table. Group A underwent submucosal diathermy [SMD] of inferior turbinate where as Group B underwent inferior turbinectomy [IT]. Post-operative nasal patency was judged after 03 weeks by visual analog scale [VAS]. Both the groups are comparable with respect to age and gender. Post-operative nasal patency is significantly better in group B as compared to group A. IT is a more effective method to improve nasal patency as compared to SMD in case of inferior turbinate hypertrophy