The evaluation of efficacy in radiofrequency ablation to the inferior turbinate hypertrophy with rhinomanometry

Objectives: To determine efficacy of the minimally invasive technique of radiofrequency ablation applied to the inferior concha in cases of inferior concha hypertrophy refractory to medical treatment. Methods: 40 patients that applied to our clinic with complaints of nasal obstruction later determined to have isolated inferior concha hypertrophy were included in the study. Patients' age ranged from 19 to 55, with the mean being 26.2. Patients were treated with bipolar radiofrequency inferior concha ablation under local anesthesia. Patients undertook anterior rhinomanometry tests prior to surgery and again 6 weeks postoperative to achieve objective measurement. Patients were also analyzed using a visual analog scale (VAS) before and 6 weeks after surgery. All data was statistically analyzed and the data was used to assess the effect of radiofrequency application to the inferior concha. Results: Total resistance of both nasal cavities was measured preoperatively and 6 weeks after surgery combined with a VAS performed at the same times after radiofrequency ablation in patients with nasal obstruction created by isolated inferior choncha hypertrophy. Results were statistically significant in the fact that radiofrequency ablation was an effective method of treatment. Conclusion: The fact that application of radiofrequency ablation to a patient with nasal obstruction due to a hypertrophic inferior concha is a simple procedure and also has a minimally invasive status has led to its increased use in this problem. In this study both objective and subjective data was obtained to assess efficacy. Both showed that this procedure is a safe and effective method of treatment.