Abstract:

Objective   To compare the clinical effect on nasal obstruction and mucociliary function between coblation inferior turbinate reduction (CITR) and inferior turbinoplasty in treatment of chronic rhinitis and to explore which is more effective. Methods   Forty patients with chronic rhinitis were randomly divided into two groups: the CITR group and the inferior turbinoplasty group. A standard visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the nasal obstruction before the operation, one week, one month and three months after the treatment. A Saccharin test was used to evaluate the nasal mucocilary transportation before and 3 months after the treatment. Results   Coblation inferior turbinate reduction resulted in little intra-operative bleeding and duration and few post-operative complications. After 3 months, nasal obstruction was significantly improved in both the coblation and the control groups. The two methods made no difference on nasal mucociliary function. Conclusion   For chronic rhinitis， when the pathological changes is simply mucosal hypertrophy, and coblation inferior turbinate reduction is significant in efficiency. When there is turbinate bone hypertrophy or abnormal morphology,  inferior turbinoplasty is better in efficiency.

Key words:  Coblation inferior turbinate reduction, Chronic rhinitis, Nasal mucociliary function, Inferior turbinoplasty