ß-Tricalcium Phosphate Implants in the Surgical Treatment of Empty Nose Syndrome

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and morbidity of a β-tricalcium phosphate implant in the treatment of empty nose syndrome after turbinectomy. Only patients with a history of inferior turbinectomy and a complaint of permanent paradoxical nasal obstruction were included. β-Tricalcium phosphate ceramic implants were implanted under the mucoperiosteal plane of the lateral nasal wall to replace the head of the inferior turbinate. Symptoms and quality of life were assessed by 2 questionnaires: the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation and Rhinosinusitis Quality of Life. Fourteen patients were included. The mean follow-up was 19.4 ± 13.4 months. Scores for the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation and Rhinosinusitis Quality of Life (frequency, bothersomeness, and impact) significantly improved after surgery (respectively, 73.9 ± 21.8 to 34.6 ± 28.6, 44.6 ± 17.1 to 34.8 ± 20.3, 43.6 ± 22.4 to 70.7 ± 21.5, and 59.9 ± 21.1 to 27.2 ± 25.3; P < .05). The use of ß-tricalcium phosphate seems efficient to repair empty nose syndrome by endonasal microplasty and shows a low complication rate.