Septoplasty and compensatory inferior turbinate hypertrophy: long-term results after randomized turbinoplasty

In patients with septal deviation, compensatory inferior turbinate hypertrophy in the side of the nose opposite the major septal deviation is often found. Although turbinectomy in connection with septoplasty is a relatively common clinical procedure, the effectiveness of the procedure is unknown, and the indications and technique applied vary considerably. Fifty patients with nasal obstruction and anterior septal deviations responded to a questionnaire 5 years after operation. Thirty-seven of these patients were available for objective examinations and acoustic rhinometry. In connection with their operations patients had been randomized into two groups. Septoplasty was performed in one group, while the other had a septoplasty supplemented with an anterior inferior turbinoplasty performed on the side opposite the major septal deviation. The subjective overall evaluation was not influenced by turbinoplasty, and no changes in the frequency of crusting were found. In all, 24% of the patients were dissatisfied with the results of surgery, and only 43% were completely satisfied with final results. No influence of turbinate reduction was detectable. Acoustic rhinometry also showed, that there was still a marked difference between the dimensions of the two sides of the nose, and that postoperative spatial conditions were still decreased on both sides when compared with normal controls.