[Endoscopic surgery of turbinates and nasal obstruction]

Nasal blockage is one of the most habitual symptoms in otolaryngologist office and the concha nasalis inferior hypertrophy the commonest cause of the trouble. Cases in which medical treatment is refractory, surgery could be an optional resort in accordance of a great deal of specialists. The possibility of give rise to atrophic rhinitis or even ozenatous lesions has been refraining this surgery lately. In our series are contemplated the outcomes of several surgical procedures as mode of management of the hypertrophy of the lower turbinal. In the article are assessed the results of several surgical techniques dealing with hypertrophy of concha nasalis inferior. 75 patients were operated under endoscopic control. Some underwent a submucous decompression (SD) other partial resection (PR). Results at half and long term of both techniques-the conservative one (SD) and that a little more aggressive (PR)-are compared, and so are the factors conditioning the selection of the surgical procedure done. We consider the partial resection of the inferior concha, under endoscopic vision, as the best way for improving the nose obstruction due to inferior concha hypertrophy, provided conservative measures are not wise at all. Furthermore because with our own hands we reach very good outcomes, both in breathing and nasal comfort. Only the patient's age may influence the last decision.