title: Clinical and ultrastructural study after partial inferior turbinectomy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Departmento de Oftalmologia, Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Hospital das Clínicas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rogério Dutra
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Bandos
authors.forename: Valder
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rodrigues de Mello
authors.forename: Maria Dolores Seabra
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossato
authors.forename: Wilma Terezinha
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Anselmo-Lima
mesh_terms: 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