title: Radiofrequency Coblation Versus Intramural Bipolar Cautery for the Treatment of Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Compare intramural bipolar electrocautery and radiofrequency coblation in the treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy with regards to objective and subjective improvement in nasal obstruction, rate and type of complications, experience during the procedure, and rate of recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, single-blinded study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single tertiary medical center from 2008 to 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one adult patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy refractory to medical management were treated with radiofrequency coblation in one nostril and intramural bipolar cautery in the other. Subjective and objective data, including use of a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for subjective outcomes, acoustic rhinometry, and nasal endoscopy, were then obtained from each patient comparing the 2 techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiofrequency coblation was significantly less painful than intramural bipolar cautery during the procedure (P = .03) and during the early postoperative period (P < .02) and produced less crusting at 3 weeks (P = .009). Both interventions were similar in subjective and objective improvements in nasal obstruction as measured by acoustic rhinometry and subjective VAS outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiofrequency coblation seems to offer an equivalent alternative to bipolar electrocautery for the treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy with less discomfort during the procedure and early post-operative period.
authors.affiliation: Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California, USA shahanil@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anil N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brewster
authors.affiliation: DiLorenzo Tricare Health Clinic-Pentagon, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitzen
authors.affiliation: Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mullin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D025363:Rhinomanometry / Q000379:methods; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
keywords: acoustic rhinometry; allergic rhinitis; inferior turbinate hypertrophy; inferior turbinate reduction; intramural bipolar cautery; nasal obstruction; prospective study; radiofrequency coblation; submucous diathermy; turbinoplasty