Pediatric turbinoplasty: what is the impact of allergy on long-term outcomes?

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The use of inferior turbinoplasty (IT) in pediatric patients is controversial, especially in the presence of allergic rhinitis. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term results of radiofrequency inferior turbinoplasty in allergic versus non-allergic children.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Children operated between 2017 and 2019 and whose intervention included radiofrequency IT were included. Multiple scores were collected in 2021 through a telephone call to parents. A comparison was made between allergic children (AC) and non-allergic children (NAC). </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> 41 children were included. Parents of AC reported a higher degree of dissatisfaction with surgery (AC: 0.8±1 verses NAC: 0.2±0.5, p=0.026). AC revealed a greater dependence on medication in order to control nasal obstruction (41% in AC vs 6% in NAC, p=0.010). The total Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score was higher in AC (mean AC 26±25 verses mean NAC 5±12, p=0.003). The sinus and nasal quality of life 5 SN-5 score was higher in AC (mean AC 2.5±1 vs NAC mean 1.4±0.8, p<0.001).AC had a lower score on the SN-5 quality of life scale (mean AC 6.6±2.4 vs NAC mean 8.3±1.8, p=0.014).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Radiofrequency IT alone does not seem effective in the long-term resolution of nasal obstruction in AC.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>