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Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2022 May 20. Epub 2022 May 20.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia - Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of radiofrequency turbinate reduction as an initial treatment on clinical improvement, inflammatory mediators, and remodeling process.

Methods: Between July 2018-February 2020, 32 patients with moderate-severe persistent AR were randomly divided into 2 groups. Intervention group received radiofrequency turbinate reduction followed by intranasal steroid and Antihistamine H-1 (AH-1), control group received intranasal steroid and AH-1. Read More

Vestn Otorinolaringol 2022 ;87(2):51-56

Russian Medical Academy for Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russia.

The septal tubercle is considered to be a thickened area of the nasal septum, which is located above the lower nasal concha and in front of the middle nasal concha. Taking into account its histological structure and location in the distal segment of the internal nasal valve, it is located and structured for secretory function and vasoactive regulation of the respiratory air flow. These histologically rich tissues with glandular elements are well adapted to the possible dryness that occurs under the influence of intense air flow during breathing, and the existence of a certain number of venous sinusoids of the blood confirms the connection with part of the extensive vascular tissues in the nasal cavity. Read More

Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2022 Apr 18;7(2):325-334. Epub 2022 Feb 18.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel.

Objectives: Inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) and nasal septum deviation are leading causes of chronic nasal obstruction. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hypertrophic inferior turbinates is effective for improving quality of life (QOL). We aim to assess QOL among patients with nasal obstruction associated with ITH and major deviated nasal septum. Read More

J Laryngol Otol 2022 Jan 27;136(1):55-59. Epub 2021 Oct 27.

Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.

Objective: This study investigated whether inferior turbinate reduction combined with septoplasty improves patients' outcomes, as assessed by objective and subjective methods.

Methods: A single-centre, parallel-group, randomised, open-label trial was conducted at a tertiary hospital ENT clinic. Patients who underwent septoplasty were divided into two groups: group A underwent septoplasty with radiofrequency ablation; group B underwent only septoplasty. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 03 26;18(7). Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Surgical treatment of the inferior turbinates is required for hypertrophic inferior turbinates refractory to medical treatments. The main goal of surgical reduction of the inferior turbinate is to relieve the obstruction while preserving the function of the turbinate. There have been a variety of surgical techniques described and performed over the years. Read More

ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 2021;83(4):252-257. Epub 2021 Mar 5.

Otorhinolaryngology Division, Department of Surgery, University of Eastern Piedmont "A. Avogadro", Novara, Italy.

Introduction: Radiofrequency turbinate volume reduction (RFTVR) is an effective treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy. RFTVR can reduce epithelial cell alterations in nasal mucosa. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the effects of RFTVR on nasal obstruction and cytology, stratifying for different types of rhinitis. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 01 20;18(3). Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Bi.N.D. Department, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy.

(1) Background: Inferior turbinates' hypertrophy is often associated with Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD); radiofrequency turbinate reduction (RTR) may provide a long-term improvement of nasal obstruction and ETD-related symptoms. (2) Aim: The study aimed to compare ETD in atopic and non-atopic patients before and after RTR and to investigate the correlation between tympanometry and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7). (3) Methods: Ninety-seven patients, ranging from 33 to 68 years old, were screened by skin tests and divided into atopic (G1) and non-atopic (G2). Read More

Am J Otolaryngol 2021 May-Jun;42(3):102850. Epub 2020 Dec 17.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, KTO Karatay University Medical Faculty, Medicana Hospital, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address:

Am J Otolaryngol 2020 Nov - Dec;41(6):102712. Epub 2020 Sep 2.

Baskent University Department of Otolaryngology, Ankara, Turkey.

Purpose: The present study compares the local anesthetic efficacy of EMLA® cream and lidocaine injection used in the radiofrequency reduction of the inferior turbinate.

Methods: The study included a total of 124 patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy and who underwent turbinate reduction under local anesthesia. The operations were performed 15 min after a lidocaine injection and 30 min after EMLA cream application. Read More

Rhinology 2020 Dec;58(6):530-537

Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technische Universitat, Munchen, Munchen, Germany.

Background: The microdebrider technique was introduced in clinical practice to provide a better outcome in nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. We conducted this systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique, by comparison with the radiofrequency-assisted modality.

Methodology: PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched to retrieve relevant randomised studies published prior to November 2019. Read More

Lasers Surg Med 2021 03 9;53(3):370-376. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, 1002 Health Sciences Rd, Irvine, California, 92612, USA.

Background And Objectives: Temperature-controlled radiofrequency inferior turbinate ablation (TCRFA) uses a feedback system to control thermal injury and achieve precise volumetric heating to induce specific scar formation. However, it requires costly single-use proprietary consumables. Comparable volumetric tissue heating may be achieved for a fraction of the cost by adjusting the power settings on traditional monopolar electrosurgery devices that use low-cost needle tips. Read More

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2020 03 3;10(3):388-394. Epub 2020 Feb 3.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.

Background: The nasal vestibular body (NVB) is a recently reported dynamic swell body present in the inferolateral internal nasal valve. The contribution of NVB presence to persistent nasal obstruction, and effects of NVB treatment, are undefined.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with recalcitrant nasal obstruction and NVB presence were retrospectively reviewed between 2013 and 2019, including 25 patients (48 sides) who had NVBs reduced via radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and 10 patients (20 sides) who had untreated NVBs. Read More

Am J Otolaryngol 2019 Sep - Oct;40(5):650-652. Epub 2019 May 21.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Yıldırım Beyazıt Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.

Introduction: İnferior turbinate hypertrophy is a common reason of nasal obstruction. One of the most preferred surgical metod is radiofrequency tecnique. Coblation submucosal reduction turbinator (SCT);new surgical device; started to use recently. Read More

Ear Nose Throat J 2019 Jul 11;98(6):E51-E57. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

3 Department of Anaesthesiology, Ascoms and Hospital, Satish Mehta Clinic & Research Centre Pvt Ltd, Jammu Tawi, India.

Coblation is a novel technology and has a wide application in the field of otorhinolaryngology. We conducted a randomized, noncontrolled study to compare the effectiveness of 2 types of wands used for turbinoplasty for nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Reflex Ultra and Turbinator wands were compared on a total of 150 patients. Read More

Ear Nose Throat J 2019 Jan 30;98(1):32-36. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Near East University, Faculty of Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.

The aim of this study is to investigate the novel use of sleep monitoring applications in simple snorers undergoing concha radiofrequency surgery and to compare and correlate the pre- and postoperative symptoms of these patients using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale. In this retrospective analysis, we have selected 18 consecutive patients with no comorbid sleep or medical disorders suffering from chronic nasal blockage and habitual snoring due to isolated submucous inferior turbinate hyperplasia. After a median follow-up of 8. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 May 6;120:118-122. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Nursing Service, Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain; Sant Ildefons Cornellà Health Centre, Institut Català de la Salut, Spain.

Purpose: Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is suitable for evaluating persistent obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) after adenotonsillar surgery as a means to guide surgical intervention, yet few studies demonstrate its usefulness in resolving the syndrome. We describe our experience of DISE-directed surgery in children with persistent OSAS by analysing objective and subjective outcomes of this treatment.

Methods: Prospective study of 20 otherwise healthy 2-12 year-old children with OSAS persisting after adenotonsillar surgery. Read More

Sisli Etfal Hastan Tip Bul 2018 28;52(4):296-301. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.

Objectives: For the treatment of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy that is unresponsive to medical treatment, turbinate surgery with radiofrequency is a widely used method. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of turbinate surgery with radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of turbinate hypertrophy, and compare the results of patients with allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis.

Methods: A total of 59 consecutive patients aged 18-67 years (mean 37±13) who underwent radiofrequency ablation to the inferior turbinate at our tertiary care hospital from September 2017 to January 2018 were enrolled in this prospective nonrandomized clinical study. Read More

Am J Rhinol Allergy 2019 Mar 17;33(2):212-219. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

1 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston University, School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.

Background: Historically, there has been uncertainty in the treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) in children. Although management always begins with medical therapy, the decision to offer surgery in resistant cases is becoming more widely practiced. In the pediatric population, turbinate reduction can be achieved with turbinectomy, electrocautery, lasers, submucous microdebridement, and radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RVTR). Read More

Int J Otolaryngol 2018 14;2018:6480346. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Full Professor Unit of Otolaryngology, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy.

Background: Video-assisted endoscopic radiofrequency inferior turbinate volume reduction (RFVTR) is one of the most common surgical therapies for inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH). Despite all the technical and surgical advancement, it is advisable to reduce as low as possible the intraoperative discomfort. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of music in reducing patient discomfort during RFVTR. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 09 2;128(9):1997-2003. Epub 2018 Feb 2.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.

Objectives/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare radiofrequency ablation, diode laser, and microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty techniques in the treatment of chronic nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate enlargement, and to compare these techniques with a placebo procedure.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled study.

Methods: A total of 98 consecutive patients with enlarged inferior turbinates due to persistent year-round rhinitis were randomized into a placebo, radiofrequency ablation, diode laser, and microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty groups in a ratio of 1:2:2:2. Read More

HNO 2018 Feb;66(2):111-117

The Finesse Center for Facial Plastic Surgery/ENT, Froehliche-Tuerkenstraße 8, 93047, Regensburg, Germany.

Background: Turbinate surgery is an important adjunct to functional and cosmetic rhinoplasty. Many studies have analyzed the effects of various mucosal-sparing techniques, such as radiofrequency, laser, shaver, and others. These techniques, however, result in the destruction of the submucosal tissue of the turbinate. Read More

World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017 Jun 23;3(2):106-109. Epub 2017 Jun 23.

Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.

Objective: Pilot study to examine the effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the lateral palatal fat pad in patients with socially-disruptive snoring.

Method: Snoring outcomes and complications were compared between a group of patients with treated with RFA ablation of the lateral soft palate fat pad with or without inferior turbinate reduction (8 patients) and another group undergoing inferior turbinate reduction alone (12 patients).

Results: Snoring loudness and bothersomeness improved in the palate but not inferior turbinate group. Read More

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Jan - Feb;85(1):43-49. Epub 2017 Nov 6.

Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Istanbul, Turkey.

Introduction: Although the nose and lungs are separate organs, numerous studies have reported that the entire respiratory system can be considered as a single anatomical and functional unit. The upper and lower airways affect each other either directly or through reflex mechanisms.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the radiofrequency ablation of persistent inferior turbinate hypertrophy on nasal and pulmonary function. Read More

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2017 Nov 28;55(9):917-920. Epub 2017 Sep 28.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gaziantep 25 Aralık State Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey. Electronic address:

We compared the effectiveness of local anaesthetic with Emla cream with that of an injection of lidocaine for radiofrequency reduction of the inferior turbinates. We studied 98 consecutive patients with hypertrophied inferior turbinates, 46 of whom were given Emla cream and 52 lidocaine injection. The procedure began five minutes after the injection of lidocaine and 10minutes after the Emla cream had been applied. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 03 22;128(3):568-572. Epub 2017 Aug 22.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.

Objective: The aim of this placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the effect of various inferior turbinate surgery techniques on Eustachian tube dysfunction-related symptoms.

Study Design: Outcomes were evaluated using the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) and tympanometry results.

Methods: A total of 72 consecutively blinded and randomized adult patients with enlarged inferior turbinates due to persistent year-round rhinitis underwent either a radiofrequency ablation, diode laser, microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty, or sham surgery procedure. Read More

Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2017 Jun 18;50(3):599-606. Epub 2017 Mar 18.

Division of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University, 801 Welch Road, MC 5739, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Electronic address:

Coblation is a technology that incorporates bipolar radiofrequency energy to ablate tissue at relatively low temperatures. Its use for sinonasal surgery is actively being investigated, including applications for turbinate reduction, sinus surgery, skull base surgery, and adenoidectomy. Potential benefits include reduction in blood loss, improved endoscopic surgical visualization, and reduction in postoperative pain. Read More

Ear Nose Throat J 2017 Feb;96(2):E23-E26

Department of ENT, College of Medicine and JNM Hospital, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India 741235.

Radiofrequency procedures are a well-accepted treatment for nasal obstruction. We conducted a randomized, noncontrolled study to compare the effectiveness of submucosal bipolar radiofrequency turbinate volume reduction (RFTVR) and bipolar radiofrequency-assisted turbinectomy (RFaT) in patients presenting with nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. A total of 30 patients-15 males and 15 females, aged 15 to 60 years (mean: 32)-were randomly divided into one of the two homogeneous treatment groups. Read More

Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg 2016 Nov-Dec;26(6):325-32

Department of Otolaryngology, İstanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, 34730 Göztepe, Kadıköy, İstanbul, Turkey.

Objectives: This study aims to compare the effects of radiofrequency ablation and microdebrider reduction in lower turbinate surgery on nasal physiology.

Patients And Methods: Between January 2009 and March 2010, 40 patients with the complaint of nasal obstruction, who were diagnosed with lower turbinate hypertrophy, were randomly assigned into two groups to undergo either radiofrequency (group 1, n=20) or microdebrider (group 2, n=20) treatments. Nasal obstruction, the grade of turbinate hypertrophy and other symptoms were evaluated with subjective nasal obstruction scale and anterior rhinoscopy before the operation, and three days, seven days, four weeks, and eight weeks after the surgical intervention. Read More

Surg Innov 2017 Feb 13;24(1):5-14. Epub 2016 Oct 13.

1 University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short and medium-term effects of radiofrequency (RF) and potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) and neodymium-yttrium-aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser treatment on the inferior turbinate mucosa in a porcine model. Following randomization, the inferior turbinates were treated either with RF submucosally or with the KTP or the Nd:YAG laser on the surface under videoendoscopic control. Tissue samples were taken at the end of postoperative weeks 1 and 6, and were evaluated macroscopically and histopathologically. Read More

Minerva Pediatr 2017 Feb 5;69(1):15-21. Epub 2016 Oct 5.

ENT Section, Department of Neurosciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy.

Background: This study evaluates endoscopic and quality of life (QoL) outcomes in two groups, composed by both allergic (A) and non-allergic (N-A) adolescents undergoing septoplasty with concurrent turbinate surgery by radiofrequency treated after surgery with nasal spray containing liposomes and vitamins A and E.

Methods: This double-blind randomized study was carried out on 40 patients (22 males, 18 females, mean age 15.5±1. Read More