Comparative study between surgical partial inferior nasal turbinectomy and coblation assisted inferior turbinate reduction in cases of inferior nasal turbinate hypertrophy

The inferior turbinate is located in the inferior part of the nose, and contribute to the nasal valve formation. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy causes chronic nasal obstruction.

We aimed to assess the effectiveness of coblation-assisted reduction of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy using a specially designed coblator probe. Additionally, this study aimed to compare this technique with traditional surgical partial turbinectomy as the control arm and follow up with patients to identify potential complications.

This study involved 40 patients with nasal obstruction, those patients attended the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Al Azhar University Hospital in Assiut and diagnosed with enlarged inferior turbinate that did not respond to medical treatment. Also, Pre- and post-operative CT scanning was performed to objectively evaluate the improvement.

Coblation group has more advantages over the traditional group like less operative time, less intraoperative blood loss, less post-op pain, less post-op nasal crusts, early return to daily activity (P value < 0.001). Significant decrease in postoperative nasal obstruction among partial inferior turbinectomy group in comparison with coblation group (P value < 0.001).

Coblation assisted inferior turbinate reduction of the hypertrophied inferior turbinate is the technique of less complications (i.e. post-operative pain, bleeding, and nasal crust), which are commonly encountered with traditional methods. Traditional method is a bit better in patient self-satisfaction after surgery and relieving post-operative nasal obstruction.