A Clinical Study on Atrophic Rhinitis, Its Management and Surgical Outcome

Abstract

Objective: To study the efficiency of surgical management for atrophic rhinitis, to study the complications following surgeries and to study the quality of life following the management in 82 patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 82 patients who were treated for atrophic rhinitis in tertiary care hospital at the coastal Karnataka of South India for the past 3 years were carried out. Details of treatment either the medical management or the surgical procedures and any associated complications thereafter are noted. The symptomatic and clinical improvement of the patients at 3 months, 6 months and at 1 year of follow up was noted. Results and Analysis: Total of 82 patients with atrophic rhinitis was studied with age ranged from 10 to 65 years with the peak incidence between 11-30 years comprised of 55 patients (67%) of the total study group. Seventy five of 82 patients underwent surgical management. Modified Young’s procedure was done in 40 patients; followed by Young’s operation in 25 cases, septal and sinus surgeries in 10 cases and 7 patients were treated conservatively by nasal douching. Complications were not significant in Young’s or modified Young’s operation except vestibular stenosis (6%), wound dehiscence (5%) which required corrective surgery for the same. Conclusion: Treatment of atrophic rhinitis often involves multiple modalities. Surgical management (modified Young’s and Young’s) gave very good results with minimal complications.