title: Contemporary techniques in inferior turbinate reduction: survey results of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nasal airway obstruction is a frequently-encountered problem, often secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Medical treatment can be beneficial but is inadequate for many individuals. For these refractory cases, surgical intervention plays a key role in management.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors evaluate the current trends in surgical management of inferior turbinate hypertrophy and review the senior author's (SS) preferred technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was devised and sent to members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) to determine their preferred methods for assessment and treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and twenty-seven physicians responded to the survey, with 85% of surveys completed fully. Of the responses, 117 (92%) respondents were trained solely in plastic surgery and 108 (86.4%) were in private practice. Roughly 81.6% of respondents employ a clinical exam alone to evaluate for airway issues. The most commonly-preferred techniques to treat inferior turbinate hypertrophy were a limited turbinate excision (61.9%) and turbinate outfracture (35.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the results of this study, it appears that limited turbinate excision and turbinate outfracture are the most commonly-used techniques in private practice by plastic surgeons. Newer techniques such as radiofrequency coblation have yet to become prevalent in terms of application, despite their current prevalence within the medical literature. The optimal method of management for inferior turbinate reduction should take into consideration the surgeon's skill and preference, access to surgical instruments, mode of anesthesia, and the current literature.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. Feldman@bcm.edu
authors.forename: Evan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Koshy
authors.forename: Chuma J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chike-Obi
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hatef
authors.forename: Jamal M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bullocks
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stal
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014481:United States