Comparative study of microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty and partial turbinectomy in hypertrophic rhinitis: Cohort data from Vietnamese patients

Hoa Chieu Chau; Cong Thanh Pham; Chan Quoc Dang Nguyen; Nghi Huu Duong; Gia Hoang Ngo

doi:10.23750/abm.v96i2.16934

Authors

Hoa Chieu Chau Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, Vietnam; Board of Directors, Can Tho ENT Hospital, Can Tho City, Vietnam
Cong Thanh Pham Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, Vietnam; Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, and Odonto-Stomatology, Can Tho Children’s Hospital, Can Tho City, Vietnam
Chan Quoc Dang Nguyen School of Medicine and Pharmacy, The University of Danang, Da Nang City, Vietnam
Nghi Huu Duong Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, Vietnam
Gia Hoang Ngo Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, Vietnam; Division of Otolaryngology, General Department, Hoan My Cuu Long Hospital, Can Tho City, Vietnam

Keywords:

hypertrophic rhinitis, inferior turbinate hypertrophy, microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty, partial inferior turbinotomy, surgical outcomes, cohort studies, rhinitis surgery, nasal obstruction, Vietnamese population

Abstract

Background and Aim: Hypertrophic rhinitis of the inferior turbinate is characterized by persistent enlargement of the mucosal, submucosal, and bony components of the inferior turbinate, severely affecting the patient’s quality of life. This study examines the clinical and subclinical features of patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy requiring surgery and compares microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty with partial turbinotomy.

Methods: We conducted a prospective comparative cohort study with a historical control of 155 patients from April 2016 to June 2024. Patients were assigned to undergo either microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty (MAIT group, n = 68) or partial inferior turbinotomy (PIT group, n = 87). Evaluations were conducted one week, one month, and three months after surgery.

Results: The study included 155 patients with an average age of 34.9 ± 11.4 years and a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. At the one-week follow-up, the MAIT group showed a significantly greater reduction in Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores (45.7 ± 19.2 vs. 37.1 ± 15.7, P = 0.003), with notable differences in nasal crusting and inferior edema. Endoscopic evaluation showed better wound healing in the MAIT group (92.6%) than in the PIT group (74.7%, P = 0.005). However, at the three-month follow-up, there were no significant differences in NOSE score reduction or endoscopic findings (all P-values > 0.05) between the two groups.

Conclusions: Microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty and partial inferior turbinotomy are very effective surgical techniques for treating hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate and related problems of nasal obstruction. Microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty ensures both size reduction and maximum preservation of the inferior turbinate mucosa.

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