Treatment of Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophies: Low Temperature-Controlled Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation (Coblation) Versus Monopolar Radiofrequency Probe

Abstract

Objective: Chronic nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophies is a common clinical condition. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of Low Temperature-Controlled Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation (Coblation) with Monopolar Radiofrequency Probe for patients with hypertrophic inferior turbinates. Methods: Twenty four patients with chronic nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates were enrolled. These patients were randomly assigned to receive Coblation of the inferior turbinate (Group 1) (n = 28) or Monopolar Radiofrequency probe (Group 2) (n = 20). Surgical-outcomes were evaluated objectively by (MRI). Results: A significant recovery in inferior turbinates volumes that were evaluated with MRI were detected 12 weeks after treatment (p<0.05) in group 1. No difference was found from three months after surgery (P > 0.5) in group 2. Postoperative complication depending on this application as epistaxis, infection, synechia, dryness, foul odour, pain and bone necrosis did not occurred in this study. Conclusions: Coblation and monopolar Radiofrequency are both effective at relieving nasal obstruction due to the presence of hypertrophic inferior turbinates. Coblation is superior to monopolar radiofrequency with regard to decreasing the inferior turbinates volumes.