Effect of partial middle turbinectomy on nasal airflow and resistance

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995 Oct;113(4):413-9. doi: 10.1016/S0194-59989570078-1.

Abstract

We report the first prospective study of the effect of partial middle turbinectomy on nasal airflow and resistance as measured objectively by active anterior rhinomanometry. Our study group consisted of 31 consecutive patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery with simultaneous partial middle turbinate resections. We found that all patients had significant improvement in nasal airflow (p < 0.001) and significant decrease in nasal resistance (p < 0.001). Thus we found no deleterious effect on nasal function. Additionally, we reviewed the literature on retrospective series in which patients had received partial middle turbinectomies and found no evidence that nasal function was impaired after surgery. We conclude that partial middle turbinectomy may be performed without adversely altering nasal function, as measured by active anterior rhinomanometry.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Airway Resistance*
  • Child
  • Endoscopy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Manometry
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasal Decongestants / therapeutic use
  • Nasal Septum / surgery
  • Nose / physiology*
  • Phenylephrine / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pulmonary Ventilation*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sinusitis / surgery
  • Turbinates / surgery*
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Nasal Decongestants
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Phenylephrine