title: The effect of radiofrequency turbinoplasty vs two other methods in the management of polypoid changes of the middle turbinate: a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of middle turbinate radiofrequency (RF) turbinoplasty for the management of the polypoid middle turbinate compared to middle turbinate resection and middle turbinate medialization.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed on 90 patients at a tertiary referral hospital with nasal polyposis resistant to maximal medical treatment. At the time of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), patients were randomized into 3 groups with respect to the management of the middle turbinate: middle turbinate turbinoplasty by RF; partial resection of the middle turbinate; and medialization of the middle turbinate by scarification to the septum. We evaluated the patients' symptoms according to the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) preoperatively and 1 year after surgery. Additionally, polyp recurrence and complications were compared among the 3 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One year after surgery, there was no significant difference in SNOT-22 scores between the groups. However, the RF group had a significantly lower polyp recurrence rate when compared to other groups (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RF middle turbinate turbinoplasty could be considered an alternative to other common approaches, but it needs further long-term studies before widespread usage.
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saedi
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amali
authors.forename: Narges
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alizadeh
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Ali Pasha
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Meisami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment; D012008:Recurrence; D012225:Rhinoplasty; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: FESS; Nasal polyposis; clinical trial; middle turbinate; radio frequency; recurrence; sinusitis