title: Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy in Rhinoplasty: Systematic Review of Surgical Techniques.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inferior turbinate hypertrophy is often encountered by plastic surgeons who perform rhinoplasty. Many treatment options are available to treat the inferior turbinate. The objective of this study was to systematically review outcomes of available techniques and provide guidance to surgical turbinate management.
  
  
  METHODS
  A MEDLINE search was performed for means of treating inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Studies selected focused on treatment of the inferior turbinate in isolation and excluding patients with refractory allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or hypertrophic rhinitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-eight articles were identified, collectively including the following surgical treatments of inferior turbinate hypertrophy: total turbinectomy, partial turbinectomy, submucosal resection, laser surgery, cryotherapy, electrocautery, radiofrequency ablation, and turbinate outfracture. Outcomes and complications were collected from all studies. Procedures such as turbinectomy (partial/total) and submucosal resection showed crusting and epistaxis at comparatively higher rates, whereas more conservative treatments such as cryotherapy and submucous diathermy failed to provide long-term results. Submucosal resection and radiofrequency ablation were shown to decrease nasal resistance and preserve mucosal function. No literature exists to support the belief that turbinate outfracture alone is an effective treatment for turbinate hypertrophy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy is best accomplished with modalities that provide long-lasting results, preservation of turbinate function, and low complication rates. Submucosal resection and radiofrequency ablation appear to best fulfill these criteria. Turbinate outfracture should only be considered in combination with tissue-reduction procedures.
authors.affiliation: New York, N.Y.; and Shreveport, La.|From the Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Medical Center; and The Wall Center for Plastic Surgery.
authors.forename: Sammy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinno
authors.affiliation: New York, N.Y.; and Shreveport, La.|From the Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Medical Center; and The Wall Center for Plastic Surgery.
authors.forename: Karan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: New York, N.Y.; and Shreveport, La.|From the Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Medical Center; and The Wall Center for Plastic Surgery.
authors.forename: Z-Hye
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: New York, N.Y.; and Shreveport, La.|From the Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Medical Center; and The Wall Center for Plastic Surgery.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kidwai
authors.affiliation: New York, N.Y.; and Shreveport, La.|From the Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Medical Center; and The Wall Center for Plastic Surgery.
authors.forename: Pierre B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Saadeh
authors.affiliation: New York, N.Y.; and Shreveport, La.|From the Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Medical Center; and The Wall Center for Plastic Surgery.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000601:surgery; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*