Partial inferior turbinectomy in rhinoseptoplasty has no effect in quality‐of‐life outcomes: A randomized clinical trial

• Published in: The Laryngoscope 2018-01, Vol.128 (1), p.57-63
• Main Authors: Moura, Bianca H., Migliavacca, Raphaella O., Lima, Rafaela K., Dolci, José E. L., Becker, Martina, Feijó, Cássia, Brauwers, Elisa, Lavinsky‐Wolff, Michelle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical trials; endoscopic partial inferior turbinectomy; Nose; quality of life; randomized clinical trial; Rhinoplasty; Rhinoseptoplasty; turbinate surgery
• ISSN: 0023-852X; 1531-4995
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.26831

Objective Evaluate the impact of endoscopic partial inferior turbinectomy (EPIT) associated with primary rhinoseptoplasty on quality‐of‐life outcomes (QOL), complications, and surgical duration. Study Design Randomized clinical trial. Methods Individuals with nasal obstruction aged ≥ 16 years who were candidates for functional and aesthetics primary rhinoseptoplasty were evaluated from March 2014 through May 2015. Eligible participants were randomly allocated to rhinoseptoplasty with or without EPIT (excision of one‐third of the inferior turbinates). Results Fifty patients were studied. Most were Caucasian and had moderate/severe allergic rhinitis symptoms. Mean age was 36 ( ± 14.5) years. Rhinoseptoplasty was associated with improvement in all QOL scores irrespective of turbinate intervention (P  0.05). There were no differences between the groups regarding presence of the complications. Surgical duration was higher in the EPIT group (212 minutes ± 7.8 vs. 159.1 ± 5.6; P ? 0.001). Conclusions Turbinate reduction through EPIT during primary rhinoseptoplasty did not improve short‐term general and specific QOL outcomes. The use of EPIT increases surgical time considerably without improving QOL scores. There was no difference in postoperative incidence of complications, suggesting that EPIT is a safe technique. Level of Evidence 1b. Laryngoscope, 128:57–63, 2018