Our Septoplasty Results: Evaluation with the Nose Scale

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Innovation
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Chronic nasal obstruction due to septal deviation and turbinate hypertrophy significantly impacts quality of life.
• Current treatment options include septoplasty alone or in combination with turbinate reduction techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of septoplasty versus septoplasty with bilateral radiofrequency ablation of inferior turbinates (b-RFAIT).
• To evaluate outcomes based on patient age, gender, and follow-up duration using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study involving 178 adult patients with chronic nasal obstruction.
• Patients were divided into two groups: septoplasty only and septoplasty with b-RFAIT.
• Outcomes were assessed using the NOSE scale at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post-operation, with extended 24-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Both septoplasty and septoplasty with b-RFAIT demonstrated significant improvement in NOSE scores at 24 months.
• No significant difference in postoperative improvement was found between the two surgical groups (P = 0.306).
• Younger patients (18-40 years) showed a significant difference in mean postoperative scores (P < 0.001), with greater improvement observed over time in this age group.

Conclusions:

• Septoplasty combined with b-RFAIT is recommended for patients with septal deviation and concha hypertrophy.
• Surgical success, as measured by the NOSE scale, is independent of patient gender and anesthesia type (general vs. local).
• Younger patients benefit more significantly from these surgical interventions for nasal obstruction.