Comparison of sub mucosal diathermy and partial resection of Inferior turbinate in the treatment of symptomatic nasal valve blockage.
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the efficacy of sub mucosal diathermy (SMD) and partial resection of inferior turbinate (PRIT) in the treatment of symptomatic enlarged inferior turbinates.


METHODS
prospective.


METHODS
Forty patients of age group 18 -56 yrs with symptomatic enlarged inferior turbinates had given choices for SMD and PRIT. All the patients had history of failed medical treatment.


RESULTS
Each twenty patients underwent SMD (group I), PRIT (group II), five pt of gr. I had to have anterior nasal packing after surgery for bleeding. Three pt complained of excessive rhinorrhoea for first 2 weeks while 3 pt of Group 1 complained of nasal blockage for 1 week even after intervention. In group 2, 5 pt had to have re-anterior nasal packing after pack removal. Both groups followed up for 6 months. Nine patients were lost in follow up, so excluded from the study. Following 6 months of follow up, 6 patient of gr. I had recurrence with nasal blockage and in gr. II none had recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
PRIT is better than SMD in long course; nevertheless it should be reserved for failed SMD, not as a primary option.
Kafle
P
P
Department of Ear Nose Throat-Head Neck Surgery, Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal, Nepal. p_kafle@yahoo.com
Maharjan
M
M
Shrestha
S
S
Toran
K C
KC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003972:Diathermy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*