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Comprehensive Assessment of the Functional Outcomes of Partial Turbinectomy: A Prospective Clinical Trial

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  • Rhinoplasty
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Abstract

Objectives

The inferior and middle turbinates have crucial roles in nasal function, but their enlargement can cause obstructive effects, which can lead to breathing difficulties, sleep and smell disorders, and headaches. Partial turbinectomy is a common surgical technique used to address this issue during septorhinoplasty, but it carries risks such as empty nose syndrome. A clinical trial was designed to evaluate the functional outcomes of middle and inferior partial turbinectomy with a holistic approach.

Methods

Patients with NOSE questionnaire scores of 30 or higher, and grade 4 inferior turbinates and/or advanced middle concha bullosa were included. Patients completed questionnaires related to breathing, empty nose syndrome, headache, and olfaction preoperatively and at one-month, three-month, six-month, and first-year periods postoperatively. The partial excisions of the inferior and middle turbinates were carried out with serrated scissors while trying to preserve adequate turbinate size to maintain function.

Results

This study found that NOSE scores, headache frequency, and severity improved postoperatively. The olfactory-related quality of life of the patients with impairments in this area significantly improved found to be improved at all postoperative evaluations. None of the patients experienced prolonged bleeding requiring surgical intervention. No cases of anosmia and empty nose syndrome were reported.

Conclusion

Partial turbinectomy of middle and inferior turbinates during septorhinoplasty can alleviate symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy, such as breathing issues, olfactory disorders, and headaches. It is an easy, reliable, and efficient surgical maneuver. Proper technique can minimize the risk of empty nose syndrome and other complications of turbinectomy surgery.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

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Funding

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, 06230, Ankara, Turkey

    Murat Çelik, Sinan Kadir Altunal, Ugur Kocer & Arda Kucukguven

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  1. Murat Çelik
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  2. Sinan Kadir Altunal
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Contributions

MÇ: Substantial contributions to Conception and design, analysis and interpretation of the data, drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; and (3) final approval of the version to be published. SKA: Substantial contributions to Conception and design, analysis and interpretation of the data, drafting the article critically for important intellectual content; and (3) final approval of the version to be published. UK: Substantial contributions to design, analysis, and interpretation of the data, drafting the article for important intellectual content; and (3) final approval of the version to be published. AK: Substantial contributions to Conception and design, analysis and interpretation of the data, drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; and (3) final approval of the version to be published

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Correspondence to Murat Çelik.

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This material is the author’s original work, which has not been previously published elsewhere. This study was performed by research ethical guidelines. There are no human subjects in this article and informed consent is not applicable. All authors have contributed to the paper and have permitted their names to be included as co-authors. This manuscript is not submitted to or is currently under review at any other journal.

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Çelik, M., Altunal, S.K., Kocer, U. et al. Comprehensive Assessment of the Functional Outcomes of Partial Turbinectomy: A Prospective Clinical Trial. Aesth Plast Surg 48, 1547–1556 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03503-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03503-y

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