Radiofrequency of turbinates. Our experience
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.194Keywords:
radiofrequency, turbinate hypertrophy, rhinomanometryAbstract
Introduction: Inferior turbinate hypertrophy represents one of
the most frequent causes for nasal airway obstruction. Turbinate
radiofrequency is a relatively new technique presenting several
advantages when compared with other alternatives.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of
radiofrequency in patients diagnosed of inferior turbinate
hypertrophy.
Methods: We present a retrospective study of 40 patients with ages between 14 and 60 years old, with nasal airway obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy refractory to medical therapy.
Patients were treated with radiofrequency under local anesthesia.
We analyzed the nasal flow with active anterior rhinomanometry
previous and post treatment (at 3 and 6 months). We compared the subjective and objective improvement in all patients analyzing as well the rate of minor and major complications.
Results: Our rate of complications is low, and we had no data of
major complications, having found only a 5% of minor complications as (crust formation or tissue necrosis). The rhinomanometry is a technique that allows us to observe the objective improvement or not, that patients manifest in a subjective way. We obtained an 80% improvement in nasal airway flow at 3 months having this value decreased in 10% at the 6 months follow up.
Conclusion: The radiofrequency of the inferior turbinate is an effective technique that presents some advantages when compared with other methods: does not need nasal packing, does not alter the mucosa and consequently preserves the mucociliary transportation. Presents a low rate of complications and it’s a simple procedure.
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