Background &Aims:  Nasal obstruction is one of the most common symptoms that patients refer to nasal surgeon. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy and septum deviation are the most common causes of nasal airway obstruction. There are numerous available surgical techniques in use to address inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The aim of our study is compare the efficacy of resection of inferior turbinate without fracture of inferior turbinate during septoplasty.

Materials & Methods: In a clinical trial study during  the 2008- 2009 years, the study group consisted of 100 patients with septum deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy in Tabriz ENT department of Imam Reza hospital assigned into two groups of 50, who underwent simultaneous resection of inferior turbinate and out fracture of inferior turbinate during septoplasty. Anterior & posterior rhinoscopy and GRI-NSQ inventory were used to assess treatment outcomes at the end of 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery.

Results: The cure and improvement rate of nasal obstruction in both groups were not significant difference. Post operation bleeding (Value<0.00) in the resection of inferior turbinate (24%) were more than out fracture of inferior turbinate (4%). But in late complications and in GRI-NSQ inventory with the score: 1.86 in out fracture of inferior turbinate compared with score: 2.54 in resection of inferior turbinate were better.

Conclusion: Based on our study both techniques have same efficacy to reduce the symptom and sign of nasal obstruction but because the postoperative complications in out fracture of inferior turbinate it is a better choice in surgery for the patient with inferior turbinate hypertrophy due to septal deviation.

Source: Urmia Med J 2011: 22(1): 81 ISSN: 1027-3727