Does turbinate reduction combined with septoplasty have better outcomes than septoplasty alone? A randomised, controlled study

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigated whether inferior turbinate reduction combined with septoplasty improves patients’ outcomes, as assessed by objective and subjective methods.MethodsA single-centre, parallel-group, randomised, open-label trial was conducted at a tertiary hospital ENT clinic. Patients who underwent septoplasty were divided into two groups: group A underwent septoplasty with radiofrequency ablation; group B underwent only septoplasty. All patients were assessed before and three months after surgery using acoustic rhinometry and peak nasal inspiratory flow measurements, as well as Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 scores.ResultsSeventy-four patients completed the study (36 in group A and 38 in group B). The patients in both groups showed significant improvements in acoustic rhinometry and peak nasal inspiratory flow measurements and in Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 scores after the surgery (p < 0.05). However, the differences between the groups were not significant (p > 0.05).ConclusionInferior turbinate ablation combined with septoplasty does not provide any more benefit to the objective and subjective outcomes of patients than septoplasty alone.