Sustainable Improvement of the Sensation of Nasal Obstruction and Quality of Life after Septoplasty and Lower Turbinoplasty: A SQUIRE Analysis - Abstract
Aims: To report our experience with the efficacy of surgical inferior turbinoplasty preserving an inferior neo-meatus combined with septoplasty (TIS) in the treatment of Chronic Respiratory Nasal Obstruction (CRNO).
Material and Methods: Retrospective evaluation of our diagnostic practice based on the “three noses” concept to individualize CRNO with or without Chronic Respiratory Rhinitis (CRR), and of the outcomes of our standardized TIS surgical practice using the specific Dynachron self-questionnaire.
Objectives: To assess the rates of clinically important improvement in symptoms of Chronic Nasal Dysfunction (CND) at 8 weeks and 4 years after TIS.
Results: In 52 patients (27 without and 25 with CRR) who underwent TIS, a clinically important improvement in CRNO was reported in 78.8% of cases at 8 weeks and 82.7% at 4 years postoperatively. The rate of clinically important improvement in the total Dynachron score was 75% at 8 weeks and 65.4% at 4 years. Analysis of the raw questionnaire scores suggested a role for posterior rhinorrhea and olfaction in this specific decline in quality of life at 4 years, slightly more marked in patients with CRR, but without deterioration of the nasal obstruction domain in either subgroup. Minor postoperative bleeding and synechiae divided during outpatient consultation were the only minor complications. No case of empty nose syndrome was reported.
Conclusion: TIS shows durable efficacy in the treatment of CRNO.