[Comparison of plasma radiofrequency ablation to the total inferior turbinate with its anterior extremity].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the curative effect and complications between plasma radiofrequency ablation to the anterior extremity of the inferior turbinate and the treatment to the total of the inferior turbinate for the treatment of hypertrophic inferior turbinate. METHOD: One hundred and fifty-three patients were randomly divided into two groups, and all of the patients had obviously nasal obstruction due to isolated inferior turbinate hypertrophy. In the experimental group, plasma radiofrequency ablation was only applied to the anterior extremity of the inferior turbinate, whereas the whole concha was ablated in the control group. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for nasal obstruction were obtained both before the treatment and 1 year after surgery, and during the follow-up period, their recovery of nasal mucosa and complications were evaluated. RESULT. VAS scores before and after treatment were statistically significant in both groups (P < 0.01), but decreased value of VAS scores between the two groups was insignificant (P > 0.05). Complications between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Compare to radiofrequency ablation to the total of the inferior turbinate, the application to the anterior extremity of the inferior turbinate could provide adequate curative effect. The treatment to the anterior extremity of the inferior turbinate is simpler, which induce less complications, and which is safer for there is less risk of damage of continuity of the nasal mucosa. So it has a higher clinical application value.