Endoscopic inferior turbinate reduction: An outcomes analysis

Objectives/Hypothesis: In a previous publication, we introduced an endoscop ic technique for the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by inferior turb inate hypertrophy. The technique, a modification of the procedure populariz ed by Mabry, involves resecting the inferior and lateral aspects of the inf erior turbinate with a microdebrider under endoscopic guidance. Our prelimi nary postoperative results were favorable. All 20 patients experienced impr ovement by postoperative day 5 and the incidence of complications over the first 6 months after surgery was low. The objective of this study is to per form a long-term outcomes analysis of patients undergoing the procedure. St udy Design: Follow-up survey questionnaire and analysis. Methods: We sent q uestionnaires to 60 patients, ranging from 6 to 40 months after surgery, in quiring about continued use of nasal medications, need for further surgery, presence of adverse effects, and improvement in symptoms. Nasal airway obs truction was assessed on a subjective scoring scale from 1 (no obstruction) to 6 (complete obstruction). Results. Of the 28 (47%) patients who returne d questionnaires, the severity of daytime nasal obstruction was rated as 2. 3 and nighttime nasal obstruction as 2.7. The use of nasal steroids and ora l decongestants was 25% and 21%, respectively. Adverse effects were minimal and all but one patient (96%) experienced improvement in their nasal airwa y. Conclusion: These results confirm the long-term effectiveness of this pr ocedure for the relief of nasal obstruction.