Comparison of radiofrequency applied to the total inferior choncha with application to its anterior third.

OBJECTIVE

To compare radiofrequency application to the anterior 1/3 of the inferior choncha with application to the whole of the inferior choncha.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

40 patients with nasal obstruction due to isolated inferior choncha hypertrophy were evaluated. RF was applied in the first group only to the anterior 1/3 of the choncha, whereas in the second group the whole choncha was ablated. Anterior rhinomanometry measurements were obtained both before and 6 weeks after surgery along with visual analog scales. Complete data was used to compare the efficacy of both techniques.

RESULTS

The combined nasal resistance showed a significant decrease in both groups. VAS scores were also substantial for both groups. Both groups showed similar data proving the two techniques to have similar efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Application to the anterior 1/3 compared with application to the whole of the choncha show no significant differences. Simple RF application here not only provides adequate control but also is safer as there is less risk of interruption of continuity of the nasal mucosa.