Office-based inferior turbinate reduction using bipolar cautery: Technique and results.

Objectives: Several methods have been reported for inferior turbinate (IT) reduction. We describe office-based interstitial IT reduction using bipolar cautery and evaluate long-term efficacy.

Methods: Sixty patients with allergic and nonallergic rhinitis unresponsive to medical treatment underwent office IT reduction between January 2012 and December 2014. Bipolar cautery was used at 15 to 20 W. Mean procedure time was 12 min for unilateral and 16 min for bilateral IT reduction. Patients followed up at 2, 6, and 12 weeks and 1 year. Mean follow-up was 22 months. The Sinonasal Outcome Test was completed before and after at 6 weeks and 1 year.

Results: SNOT-22 scores were 35.7 ± 5.4 and 18.5 ± 4.2 preoperatively and at 1 year respectively. Symptoms improved at 6 weeks, nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea improving most. Complications included vaso-vagal reactions in 6 requiring rescheduling the procedure in 2 patients. One patient had bleeding controlled conservatively.

Conclusion: Bipolar IT cautery is safe, effective, well-tolerated and doesn't require expensive equipments. It can be incorporated into general otolaryngology practice.