title: Combined radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction and lateral outfracture of hypertrophic inferior turbinate in the treatment of chronic rhinitis: short-term and long-term outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) of hypertrophic inferior turbinate (IT) is an effective way to treat patients with intractable nasal mucosal obstruction. We evaluated the effectiveness of combined RFVTR and lateral outfracture (LO) of hypertrophic IT in chronic rhinitis (CR) patients on reduction of nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and nasal pruritus both short and long term.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three patients with CR who failed medical treatment were recruited to undergo combined RFVTR and LO of hypertrophic IT. Nasal congestion scores were recorded before the operation, and immediately, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after the operation. Rhinorrhea and pruritic score as well as total nasal airway resistance (TNAR) and total nasal airflow (TNAF) (measured by active anterior rhinomanometry) were recorded before the operation, and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-five patients completed the follow-up period of 3 years. Subjects consisted of 25 male and 20 female patients, with an average age of 31 years. Nasal congestion scores were significantly improved immediately after the operation. Nasal congestion scores and TNAR values were significantly decreased whereas TNAF values were significantly increased at every time point postoperatively. Rhinorrhea and pruritic scores were also significantly improved at every time point after 2 weeks postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined RFVTR and LO of hypertrophic IT is an effective treatment for nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and nasal pruritus in CR and the result lasts up to 3 years postoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Paraya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Assanasen
authors.forename: Wish
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Banhiran
authors.forename: Pongsakorn
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tantilipikorn
authors.forename: Bangon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pinkaew
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: chronic rhinitis; hypertrophic inferior turbinate; lateral outfracture of turbinate; nasal airflow; nasal airway resistance; radiofrequency turbinate reduction