Anterior turbinectomy. A new surgical approach to turbinate hypertrophy: a review of 220 cases.

Surgical correction of mechanical nasal airway obstruction is commonly treated by septoplasty. The nasal airflow, however, is often inadequate postoperatively. The inferior turbinates are responsible for nasal obstruction more often than is realized. Recent studies have confirmed that the main site of respiratory resistance is located at the level of the anterior ends of the inferior turbinates. A new turbinectomy approach in which the anterior end of the inferior turbinate is resected with a specially modified forceps is described. A large series of patients, along with their follow-up data, are described. The advantages of the anterior turbinectomy are discussed.