Objectives/hypothesis: To assess the nasal functions, nasal resistance, and olfactory function in middle turbinate surgery.
Study design: Randomized controlled trial.
Methods: This prospective controlled study was carried out on patients who underwent laminectomy for aeration of the middle turbinate. Patients participating in the study were divided into two groups-group 1: medial laminectomy (n = 34) and group 2: lateral laminectomy (n = 38). Patients underwent the preoperative visual analogue score, sinonasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22), peak nasal inspiratory flowmeter, and Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center smell test. All patients were reevaluated 3 months after the operation.
Results: The study group comprised 72 consecutive patients. The mean age of the patients was 31.03 ± 9.7, with a range of 17 to 54 years. A total of 47.2 % (n = 34) had medial and 52.8% (n = 38) had lateral laminectomy. Bilateral turbinate intervention was performed in 27.8% (n = 20), whereas unilateral middle turbinate intervention was performed in 72.3% (n = 52). Overall, both groups showed strong significant improvement over time in visual analogue scale results, SNOT-22 scores, peak flowmeter results, and olfactory function between preoperative and postoperative scores (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups for all parameters (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: This study revealed that medial laminectomy for aeration of the middle turbinate was as effective as lateral laminectomy.
Level of evidence: 1b. Laryngoscope, 125:1062-1066, 2015.
Keywords: Middle turbinate surgery; laminectomy; questionnaire; smell test.
© 2014 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.