Surgical interventions for empty nose syndrome: A meta-analysis of meta-analyses

Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a complex iatrogenic condition resulting from excessive inferior turbinate resection, leading to paradoxical nasal obstruction despite an objectively patent airway.

This system review and meta-analysis of meta-analyses, performed with the AMSTAR2 tool, evaluates surgical treatment outcomes for ENS, focusing on validated patient-reported measures such as the ENS6Q and SNOT questionnaires.

Data from three meta-analysis, including over 1500 cases, highlights the long-term benefits and limitations of various surgical approaches.

While surgical interventions demonstrate sustained improvements in patient quality of life, substantial heterogeneity across meta-analyses and overlapping primary data highlight the need for standardized protocols, harmonized outcome measures, and meta-evaluation frameworks in future ENS research.