Submucosal diathermy versus coblation for reduction of hypertrophied inferior turbinate:a comparative study

Abstract

ABSTRACTNasal obstruction is the foremost complaint of a large number of patients. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy can result in a fixed structural obstruction.Various types of turbinate surgery are commonly used , Submucosal techniques have advantages in terms of preserving overall nasal physiology. Aim of the work: This prospective study aimed at comparison between SMD and coblation in reduction of hypertrophied inferior turbinate. It included 30 patients with bilateral inferior turbinate hypertrophy. (21 male and 9 female), their ages ranged between 16-41 years. All patients in this study were subjected to preoperative evaluation by endoscopy and ct scan. All patients underwent SMD in the right side and coblation in the left side. The patients were subjected to post-operative follow up for at least 2 months, CT was done 2 months post-operative to compare the size of inferior turbinate before and after surgery. Results: nasal obstruction and snoring improved obviously by both techniques but more in coblation. Postoperative crustations after coblation occurred in 4 patients only (13.3%) and for SMD occurred in 6 patients (20%), coblation less painful than SMD in the postoperative period as measured by Guttman scale. CT scan proved a significant reduction of the turbinate size using both techniques. Conclusion: Our study showed that both SMD and Coblation are effective in inferior turbinate reduction. Coblation is safe and effective, but it is expensive to somewhat. There are no serious intra-operative and postoperative complications.Key Words: inferior, turbinate, hypertrophy, submucous , diathermy, coblation