Skull Base 2006; 16 - A073
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-958606

Inferior Turbinate Surgery: Is There an Increase of Frequency?

Theodora Nasiopoulou 1(presenter), Thomas Nikolopoulos 1, Xenophon Kochilas 1, Aikaterini Kiprouli 1, John Xenelis 1, Michael Androulakis 1, Antonios Tzagaroulakis 1, Eleftherios Ferekidis 1
  • 1Athens, Greece

Background: Nasal obstruction is a very common symptom in the general population and may be attributed to septal deviation and inferior turbinate enlargement, often a manifestation of allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis has become more frequent in recent years, or at least diagnosis has become more common.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to assess the frequency of turbinate surgery of the last 5 years in comparison with the respective frequency 10 years ago.

Methods and Materials: We reviewed nasal surgeries undertaken from 2000 to 2005 and the respective surgeries from 1990 to 1995 in our hospital.

Results: From 2000 to 2005, from the 530 septoplasties, 169 (31.9%) were combined with turbinate surgery. From 1990 to 1995 from the 430 septoplasties, 102 (23.7%) had been combined with turbinate surgery. The difference was statically significant (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: During the last 5 years, there was a 35% increase of turbinate surgery (in combination with septoplasty) taking as baseline the rate of turbinate surgery 10 years before. This suggests that either the frequency of turbinate enlargement has increased significantly in the last 5 years or the perception of turbinate importance has increased among ENT surgeons.