title: Radiofrequency energy tissue ablation for the treatment of nasal obstruction secondary to turbinate hypertrophy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We hypothesized that the success rate of radiofrequency energy (RFe) tissue ablation of the inferior turbinate for nasal obstruction achieved by previous investigators would be improved by using a longer needle electrode and creating two lesions per turbinate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients with nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy were prospectively enrolled. A 40-mm needle delivered RFe to two sites in each inferior turbinate. Patients used a visual analog scale (VAS) to grade nasal obstruction preoperatively and at 1 week and 8 weeks after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative digital images of the nasal cavity were graded for obstruction (0% to 100%) in a blinded manner.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients (100%) were subjectively improved at 8 weeks. Mean obstruction (VAS) improved from 50%+/-21% to 16%+/-15% (right side) and from 53%+/-29% to 13%+/-13% (left side). Mean improvements were 68% (right side) (P = .004) and 75% (left side) (P = .001). Mean obstruction graded during blinded review of nasal cavity images improved from 73.5%+/-8% to 51%+/-8% (right side) and from 76%+/-6% to 64%+/-7% (left side). Of nine patients using medications for nasal obstruction before treatment, eight (89%) noted no further need for medications at 8 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of RFe for submucosal tissue ablation in the hypertrophied inferior turbinate is an effective modality for reducing symptoms of nasal obstruction. Improved results may occur by using a longer needle and creating two lesions per turbinate. Of patients in this study, 100% reported improvement of nasal obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Utley
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Goode
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hakim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology*