Radiofrequency energy tissue ablation for the treatment of nasal obstruction secondary to turbinate hypertrophy

Objective/Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the success rate of radiofrequen cy energy (RFe) tissue ablation of the inferior turbinate for nasal obstruc tion achieved by previous investigators would be improved by using a longer needle electrode and creating two lesions per turbinate. Methods: Ten pati ents with nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy wer e prospectively enrolled. A 40-mm needle delivered RFe to two sites in each inferior turbinate. Patients used a visual analog scale (VAS) to grade nas al obstruction preoperatively and at 1 week and 8 weeks after surgery. Preo perative and postoperative digital images of the nasal cavity were graded f or obstruction (Ono to 100%) in a blinded manner. Results: AU patients (100 %) were subjectively improved at 8 weeks. Mean obstruction (VAS) improved f rom 50% +/- 21% to 16% +/- 15% (right side) and from 53% +/- 29% to 13% +/- 13% (left side). Mean improvements were 68% (right side) (P = .004) and 75 % (left side) (P = .001). Mean obstruction graded during blinded review of nasal cavity images improved from 73.5% +/- 8% to 51% +/- 8% (right side) a nd from 76% +/- 6% to 64% +/- 7% (left side). Of nine patients using medica tions for nasal obstruction before treatment, eight (89%) noted no further need for medications at 8 weeks. Conclusion: The use of RFe for submucosal tissue ablation in the hypertrophied inferior turbinate is an effective mod ality for reducing symptoms of nasal obstruction. Improved results may occu r by using a longer needle and creating two lesions per turbinate, Of patie nts in this study, 100% reported improvement of nasal obstruction.