Turbinate reduction during septoplasty; to do it or not? Clinical and radiological study

ABSTRACT

The objective was to determine whether during Septoplasty, turbinate reduction procedure should be done in every case of compensatory turbinate hypertrophy [CTH], or not. It is a prospective randomised study. 86 patients with septal deviation and compensatory turbinate hypertrophy were divided randomly into 2 equal groups; group A for whom septoplasty was done alone and group B for whom coblation-assisted turbinate reduction for CTH was done in addition. Both groups were compared as regard patient symptoms and CT measurements of the turbinate 9 months after surgery. 34.9% of group A complained of nasal obstruction in the side of CTH, compared to only 6.9% in group B. While turbinate reduction as measured by CT was significant in group A [p<0.05]; it was highly significant in group B [p<0.0001]. It was also found that there was a highly significant statistical difference between the postoperative results in the both groups in favour of group B [p<0.0001]. During septoplasty, turbinate reduction should be done in every case of CTH, as it improves patient symptoms and does not add to the complications