Clinical and ultrastructural study after partial inferior turbinectomy.
We report clinical and histological results obtained after partial inferior turbinectomy (PIT), surgery indicated for the treatment of chronic nasal obstruction.


METHODS
Twenty patients were divided into two groups submitted to PIT plus septoplasty and PIT alone. The patients were reassessed clinically and histologically by means of a biopsy of the regenerated areas in the inferior turbinates at two different times after PIT, i.e., after 8 to 12 months (group A) and after two years (group B).


RESULTS
The clinical results proved to be satisfactory for the relief of nasal obstruction in group A and unsatisfactory in group B. However, better histological results with better recovery and epithelial differentiation of the regenerated mucosa of the inferior turbinates after PIT were observed in group B.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgery proved to be effective on a short-term but not on a long-term basis, and histological recovery did not accompany improvement of clinical signs and symptoms.
Bandos
Rogério Dutra
RD
Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Departmento de Oftalmologia, Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Hospital das Clínicas, Brazil.
Rodrigues de Mello
Valder
V
Ferreira
Maria Dolores Seabra
MD
Rossato
Maria
M
Anselmo-Lima
Wilma Terezinha
WT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure