Abstract
Background: Nasal obstruction is the most common complaint among patients presenting to otolaryngologists which disturbs the quality of life of the patient. The anterior end of inferior turbinate is the narrowest part of nasal airway, its enlargement cause significant nasal obstruction [1].
Patients and Methods: During the period from December 2015 to October 2017, the mean age was ranging from 17 years to 46 years; fifteen patients were females (50%) while fifteen patients were females (50%) were attending Otorhi-nolaryngology Department, Al-Zahraa University Hospital, with nasal obstruction and diagnosed as hypertrophied inferior turbinate refractory to medical treatment. The 30 patients selected for this study were randomly assigned to undergo conventional surgical turbinoplasty (n=10), microdebrider assisted turbinoplasty (MD) (n=10), and Radiofrequency turbinoplasty (RF) (n=10).
Results: Microdebrider assisted turbinoplasty is the tech-nique of highest efficacy and leastcomplication. Radiofre-quency turbinoplasty is alternative method for the treatment of turbinate hypertrophy. It is the simplest technique and its efficacy is high in long-term olfactory and functional Out-comes. Conventional surgical turbinoplasty is effective as microdebrider but the complication namely crustation and bleeding in this method is higher and time consuming than the other 2 methods.
Conclusion: Both radiofrequency and microdebrider assisted turbinoplasty are efficient methods for relieving nasal obstruction related to inferior turbinate hypertrophy.