Turbinate loss from non-inflammatory sinonasal surgery does not correlate with poor sinonasal function

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Turbinate resection is controversial in inflammatory sinonasal disease but common in endoscopic tumor/skull base surgery.
• Patients undergoing tumor/skull base surgery often report good nasal function despite turbinate loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of turbinate resection on self-reported sinonasal function after endoscopic tumor or skull base surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 294 patients undergoing surgery for non-inflammatory sinus disease.
• Assessed Likert scores for nasal obstruction, global nasal function, and sleep quality.
• Correlated turbinate tissue loss with functional outcomes, adjusting for demographic and treatment variables.

Main Results:

• Turbinate resection was not associated with poorer nasal obstruction, global nasal function, or sleep scores.
• Allergy and Draf III procedures were associated with improved postoperative global nasal function.

Conclusions:

• Turbinate resection in non-inflammatory sinonasal disease surgery does not correlate with worse postoperative nasal obstruction, sinonasal function, or sleep quality.
• Findings suggest turbinate sacrifice is safe regarding sinonasal function in this surgical context.