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Pediatric turbinate radiofrequency ablation improves quality of life and rhinomanometric values. A prospective study
Christian Calvo-Henriquez1, Jerome R Lechien2, Iván Méndez-Benegassi3
1Rhinology Study Group of the Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies (YO-IFOS), Paris, France; Service of Otolaryngology, Rhinology Unit. Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela. - Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Insights
Turbinate radiofrequency ablation (TRA) in children significantly improves quality of life and nasal airflow. This safe procedure offers both objective and subjective symptom relief for pediatric nasal obstruction.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Turbinate surgery is increasingly popular in pediatric otolaryngology.
- There is limited data on turbinate surgery outcomes in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in nasal resistance, airflow, and quality of life in pediatric patients after turbinate radiofrequency ablation (TRA).
Main Methods:
- Prospective uncontrolled intervention clinical trial.
- 81 children (4-15 years) underwent TRA, with or without adenoidectomy.
- Evaluations included rhinomanometry and quality of life surveys at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Significant quality of life improvement observed from 1 month post-TRA.
- Nasal resistance improved, reaching statistical significance at 3 months for isolated TRA and 6 months for combined adenoidectomy.
- Post-operative nasal resistance changes strongly correlated with pre-operative measurements.
Conclusions:
- Turbinate radiofrequency ablation appears to be a safe and effective procedure for pediatric nasal obstruction.
- The surgery provides objective and subjective improvements in children's symptoms.
Objective:
turbinate surgery in pediatric patients is gradually increasing in popularity amongst pediatric otolaryngologists. However, despite this, there is scarce information regarding this surgical procedure in children. The present research is designed with the aim of assessing changes in nasal resistance, nasal airflow and quality of life in pediatric patients undergoing turbinate radiofrequency ablation.
Methods:
A prospective uncontrolled intervention clinical trial design was followed. Children between 4 and 15 years old undergoing turbinate radiodiofrequency ablation (TRA) were consecutively selected. Children were examined preoperatively and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after turbinate surgery. Anterior active rhinomanometry with and without nasal decongestant and examination of the turbinates and adenoid size were carried out in each follow-up visit. The SN5 quality of live survey was answered by parents.
Results:
81 children were included, 28 with associated adenoidectomy. A significant improvement in quality of life was demonstrated since the first month after TRA. Regarding nasal resistance, there was an improvement 1 month after surgery, but it only reached statistical significance for the whole sample (p < 0.001)) and for the cohort of isolated turbinate surgery (p < 0.001) at 3 months, while the values for the cohort of children who underwent adenoidectomy reached significance at 6 months after surgery (p = 0.04). The difference in nasal resistance before and after decongestant was compared to the change in nasal resistance after surgery. It demonstrated a strong correlation with the change in nasal resistance at 1 month (R = 0.985; p < 0.001), 3 months (R = 0.995; p < 0.001), 6 months (R = 0.98; p < 0.001) and 12 months (R = 0.98; p < 0.001) after surgery.
Conclusions:
turbinate surgery in pediatric patients seems to be a safe procedure which objectively and subjectively improves the symptoms of children suffering from nasal obstruction.
