Purpose Statement

Patients who seek rhinoplasty may present with inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Recently, endoscopic resection of the inferior turbinate submucosa and stroma with a microdebrider, has proven to be an excellent alternative to the traditional techniques to reduce the size of the inferior turbinate. This technique has been shown to preserve the inferior turbinate mucosa while reducing the anatomic obstruction caused by the inferior turbinate. We have used this technique to address inferior turbinate hypertrophy at our institution since January of 2005. We present our initial experience with this novel technique at our institution.

Methods and Materials

Retrospective review.

Results:

We identified 6 patients who underwent the procedure since January of 2005. There were 4 males and 2 females. The average age of the patients was 36. The mean follow up was 5 months. There were no peri-operative complications. All patients have symptomatic improvement in their airway. Intranasal examination revealed patent airways with well healed inferior turbinate mucosa.

Conclusion: Endoscopic inferior turbinoplasty is an excellent technique to address inferior turbinate hypertrophy. With experience, this technique can be done expeditiously with minimal complications. This technique can reduce some of the complications associated with the traditional methods to reduce the inferior turbinate.