Septoplasty and Compensatory Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy: A Randomized Study Evaluated by Acoustic Rhinometry

The Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 1993

Authors: L.F. Grymer, P. Illum, O. Hilberg

Conclusion: “Septoplasty increased the areas of the narrow side significantly in both groups. The increase in area in group B was surprisingly little. This is probably an expression of the limitation of septoplasty in the treatment of slight septal deviations. The criteria for septal and turbinate surgery will probably have to be revised with the introduction of simple and reproducible objective methods for evaluation of the nasal cavity. Acoustic rhinometry is easy to perform and very suitable for control of the changes to the anterior part of the nose during surgery.”

“Fifty per cent of a random population with nasal obstruction and septal deviation had a severe septal deviation as defined by acoustic rhinometry.”

“If pronounced septal deviation is present, a compensatory skeletal inferior turbinate hypertrophy may be found on the opposite side and anterior conservative turbinoplasty seems advisable.”

“Mucosal inferior turbinate hypertrophy defined by acoustic rhinometry, should be expected in 32 per cent of a random population with nasal obstruction, on the side contralaterally to the main septal deviation, independent of the degree of septal deviation.”