Submucosal Diathermy versus Partial Inferior Turbinectomy in the Treatment of Nasal Obstruction

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Various forms of surgical techniques to reduce the size of an enlarged
inferior turbinate are in practice being performed.
Objectives: To compare the results in term of safety and effectiveness of submucousal
diathermy with partial inferior turbinectomy in respect to pain, bleeding, crusting,
synechiae, and nasal breathing.
Methods: Study of 26 patients, attended the ENT department, Al-Yarmouk Teaching
Hospital, Baghdad, from January 2014 to January 2015, whom clinically diagnosed with
inferior turbinate hypertrophy results in nasal obstruction, were included, and divided
equally and randomly into 2 groups. Thirteen patients were submitted to submucosal
diathermy of inferior turbinate (group A) and 13 patients were submitted to partial inferior
turbinectomy (group B).
Results: The current study showed that, in group A: (7.6%) had severe pain, while in
group B: (23.07%) had severe pain. Bleeding, in group A: (15.38%) had nasal bleeding,
while in group B: (30.77%) had nasal bleeding. For nasal crusts in group A: (30.76%) had
crusts compared to (84.59%) in group B. Synechiae was (0%) in both groups. Nasal
breathing in group A: (61.53%) had excellent improvement compared to 77% in group B.
Conclusions: Submucosal diathermy is safer in respect of pain, bleeding, and crusting,
while partial inferior turbinectomy, it is more effective in the improvement of nasal
breathing.