Results of inferior nasal turbinate reduction in old and very old patients with chronic rhinitis

Abstract

Symptoms of chronic rhinitis in old and very old populations may result from isolated hyperplasia of nasal inferior turbinates. Turbinoplasty is a possible method of treatment in these individuals. However, preoperative concerns are associated with their poor general condition: tendency to epistaxis, treatment with anticoagulants, hypertension, and less effective healing. The aim of this study was to determine differences in results of turbinoplasty obtained in old and very old individuals with chronic rhinitis, compared to young and otherwise healthy patients. We analyzed records of 130 patients with hyperplasia of the inferior turbinates, who had undergone bipolar diathermy turbinoplasty: 82 individuals aged 18-59 (mean = 33.8; SD = 10.2), 30 patients aged 60-74(mean = 66.0; SD = 3.7) and 18 participants aged 75 + years (mean = 85.3; SD = 6.5). The patients were questioned about the intensity of their symptoms before and one month after the surgery, using the SNOT-20 questionnaire. The duration of wound healing and satisfaction scores were also noted. Nasal patency, nasal discharge and post-nasal drip improved in old and very old patients, similarly as in the young ones. Olfactory and taste function improved significantly more in young individuals. Postoperative healing time was significantly longer in very old patients. Some results of turbinoplasty in old and very old patients were significantly worse than in young ones.