Changes of Nasal Function After Temperature‐Controlled Radiofrequency Tissue Volume Reduction for the Turbinate

Abstract

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.

Diode Laser Turbinate Reduction in the Treatment of Symptomatic Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy

“…The improvement may be attributed to the improvement in nasal patency following surgery. This finding is similar to other reported series [8,11]. Rhee et al [8] compared the effect of radiofrequency and laser reduction of inferior turbinate on olfactory improvement.…”

“…This finding is similar to other reported series [8,11]. Rhee et al [8] compared the effect of radiofrequency and laser reduction of inferior turbinate on olfactory improvement. They found that after 8 post-operative weeks, half of the sample showed significant improvement in olfaction in both the groups.…”

“…This is in accordance with the present study which showed that the saccharin transit times normalized by 6 months post-operatively. Rhee et al [8] found that there were no changes in the saccharine transit time they placed the saccharine particle on the septum instead of on the inferior turbinate There were no significant intraoperative complications. In the immediate post operative period all patients had nasal crusting.…”

“…A total of 73.2% of patients reported improvement of nasal obstruction and only 12.2% experienced deterioration. Rhee et al [8] compared RFVTR and diode LTR found that eight weeks after in LTR group, 87.5% of the patients showed improvement in both the severity and frequency of nasal obstruction and statistically significant improvement was observed at 4 weeks after treatment. In our study all the patients had significant improvement in nasal obstruction 1 week after surgery and relief of nasal obstruction persisted in 86.7% of patients 6 month postoperatively.…”

Radiofrequency Reduction of Inferior Turbinates in Allergic and Non Allergic Rhinitis

“…Wound contraction by fibrosis results in submucosal tissue volume reduction and relief of nasal obstruction without causing damage to the overlying mucosa. Previous reports reflected that there is a recovery in patient-reported symptoms of obstruction with more than 90% improvement being achieved 8 weeks after treatment [6][7][8]. Mucociliary function is an important defense mechanism that protects the respiratory system against bacteria and other foreign particles.…”