Changes of nasal function after temperature-controlled radiofrequency tissue volume reduction for the turbinate

Chae Seo Rhee, Dong Young Kim, Tae Bin Won, Hyo Jung Lee, Seok Won Park, Tae Young Kwon, Chul Hee Lee, Yang Gi Min

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85 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: Temperature-controlled and temperature-monitored radiofrequency tissue volume reduction (RFTVR) for the turbinate is a new treatment modality for nasal obstruction secondary to turbinate hypertrophy. We compared the nasal functions after the treatment of RFTVR and laser vaporizing turbinoplasty (LVT) using subjective symptom scores and objective tests. Study Design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Methods: Twenty-four patients with nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy were prospectively evaluated from March 1999 to October 1999 at Seoul National University Hospital (Seoul, Korea). Sixteen patients were treated with RFTVR, and eight patients with LVT. The preoperative and postoperative nasal functions were investigated by visual analogue scale of symptoms, butanol threshold test, saccharine test, acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry, and ciliary beat frequency. Results: At 8 weeks postoperatively, the severity and the frequency of nasal obstruction improved subjectively in 81.3% and 93.8% of RFTVR group and in 87.5% and 87.5% of LVT group, respectively. Significant improvement of nasal symptoms began from 2 to 3 days after the operation in the RFTVR group, whereas there was significant improvement of nasal symptoms at 8 weeks after operation in the LVT group. However, objective nasal functions including nasal volume and total nasal resistance were significantly improved at 8 weeks after surgery in both groups. Among patients reporting symptoms of hyposmia, 55.6% of RFTVR group and 63.6% of LVT group showed improved olfaction. Saccharin transit time and ciliary beat frequency were preserved after RFTVR. Conclusion: RFTVR for the turbinate may be useful as an alternative approach for the treatment of chronic turbinate hypertrophy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)153-158
Number of pages6
JournalLaryngoscope
Volume111
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Nasal obstruction
  • Radiofrequency
  • Subjective and objective parameters
  • Turbinate hypertrophy

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