Long-term results of inferior turbinate hypertrophy with radiofrequency treatment: a new standard of care?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to report the long-term efficacy of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) and to compare this with other accepted surgical treatments of inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, 2-year follow-up of 19 patients originally enrolled in a prospective, randomized, single blinded, placebo controlled trial for treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy with RFVTR. Patients evaluated their severity of obstruction, frequency of obstruction, and overall ability to breathe by way of a 10 cm visual analogue scale.

RESULTS: RFVTR for inferior turbinate hypertrophy showed continued benefit at 2 years posttreatment, with no indication of increasing symptomatology. The benefit demonstrated in frequency of obstruction, severity of obstruction, and overall ability to breathe (P < .05) was maintained at 2 years. No complications occurred. Review of the literature shows lower short- and long-term complications for RFVTR compared with other surgical methods

CONCLUSION: RFVTR is effective in treating inferior turbinate hypertrophy with sustained benefit at 2 years follow-up while resulting in fewer complications than other surgical methods.

SIGNIFICANCE: RFVTR is a relatively new procedure, and therefore there are few long-term evaluations of its effectiveness; this is the first prospective study to document successful outcomes at 2 years follow-up.