Effect of Septoplasty on Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy

Abstract

Background: Septal deviation usually associated with compensatory hypertrophy of the contralateral inferior nasal turbinate. The current treatment of anterior septal deviation is septoplasty but there is controversy about surgery for the hypertrophied inferior turbinate Objectives: This study aims to determine the effect of septal surgery alone (septoplasty) on the hypertrophied inferior turbinate. Patients &Methods: This prospective study was done on 36 patients attended ENT department at Rizgary Teaching Hospital during the period from 1st August 2010 through 31st January 2011, their age ranged from 18-38year with septal deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy. All of them underwent septoplasty alone without turbinate surgery. The thickness of the hypertrophied inferior turbinate was measured before and after surgery by CT scan of paranasal sinuses coronal section. Results: Septoplasty significantly decreased the thickness of the medial mucosa of hypertrophied inferior turbinate by 1.14mm at the anterior part, 0.75mm at the middle part and 0.59mm at the posterior part, and it decreased the thickness of the lateral mucosa as well but to a lesser extent. Conclusion: Inferior turbinate hypertrophy, especially in the medial mucosa, reverses 4-6 months after septoplasty without turbinate surgery.