The Effect of Middle Turbinate Resection upon the Frontal Sinus

Abstract

Diversity of opinion exists among otolaryngologists regarding the importance of preserving the middle turbinate during sinus surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not middle turbinate resection has a bearing upon postoperative disease within the frontal sinus. In this retrospective analysis of 110 consecutive patients with chronic or recurrent acute sinusitis, 69 (case group) had previous middle turbinectomy and 41 patients (control group) had intact middle turbinate after prior sinus surgery. In 42 patients, CT scans were scored and defined as having either mild-moderate or severe disease. Frontal sinusitis seen on CT scan was present in 75% (30 of 40) of case sides and 45% (9 of 20) of control sides, and this difference was significant (P < 0.05). The height of middle turbinate resection was measured, and there was no statistical difference in frontal sinusitis between patients with high and low resection. Therefore, this work does not support the concept that middle turbinate resection results in a lower incidence of frontal recess disease.