Long-term clinical results of radiofrequency tissue volume reduction for inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the long-term clinical results of radiofrequency tissue volume reduction for symptomatic inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients who were unresponsive to medical treatment (n = 197) received turbinate reduction using radiofrequency energy. Subjective symptoms were assessed using a 10 cm visual analogue scale, and all patients underwent acoustic rhinometry before the procedure and six, 24, 48 and 60 months afterwards.

RESULTS

Of the 197 treated patients, 148 completed the protocol. No significant peri-operative complications were observed. Thirty-two patients required follow-up treatment. Significant improvements were seen in nasal obstruction and discharge scores and in acoustic rhinometry values, at six, 24, 48 and 60 months post-operatively, compared with pre-operative values (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction is an effective procedure for inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The clinical benefit of this procedure persisted 60 months after the procedure.