Assessment of inferior turbinate mucosa after turbinate reduction by radiofrequency ablation versus bipolar electro cautery: Cytological Study

Abstract

Background: Enlargement of inferior nasal turbinates is a common cause of nasal obstruction. There are many surgical methods used to treat hypertrophied inferior turbinates such as electrocautery, partial turbinectomy, microdebrider reduction and radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA). The mucosal condition after surgery is an important factor that should be considered in evaluation of different techniques. Objective: This study aimed to examine the microstructural appearance of the ciliated epithelial tissues of inferior turbinates by light microscope. It was done by cytological examination of inferior turbinate mucosa in patients treated by radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) and bipolar electro cautery (BEC) for hypertrophied inferior turbinates.

Methods: A prospective study performed on 36 patients with hypertrophied inferior turbinates causing nasal obstruction. Patients were divided into two groups: group (A) were managed with radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) and group (B) were managed with bipolar electro cautery (BEC). Cytological examination of nasal mucosa was done 3 months postoperatively.

Results: by cytological microscopic examination, 88% of cases of group (A) showed no abnormalities in ciliated epithelial cells. only 12% of cases showed abnormalities in the form of damage in the ciliated cells with an architectural rearrangement. In group (B) 78% of patients showed abnormalities in cilia and epithelial cell damage and only 22% of them showed no abnormalities.

Conclusion: Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) seems to be a good modality dealing with the problem of inferior turbinate hypertrophy. It showed minimal injury to turbinate mucosal tissues with good ciliary structure, along with an intact and functioning epithelium.