Coblator^® 하비갑개 성형술의 장기적인 효과 분석

Background and Objective: Surgical reduction of the hypertrophic inferior turbinate has been performed in patients who are refractory to medical treatment. Surgical procedures have associated morbidity including pain, bleeding, crusting, and dryness. Recently, Coblator^® using high-frequency current has shown to be safe and effective in volumetric tissue reduction of the hypertrophic inferior turbinate. The aim of study is to evaluate the long term effect of turbinoplasty with Coblator^®. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy refractory to medical therapy were prospectively evaluated with a follow-up period of over 12 months. Postoperative changes in degree of severity and frequency of nasal obstruction on visual analogue scale (VAS) were assessed. And cross-sectional area of C-notch and volume of nasal cavity from the nostril to 7 cm posteriorly were assessed using acoustic rhinometry. Results: At postoperative 12 months, the severity and frequency of nasal obstruction significantly reduced in 51.2% and 52.4% respectively on VAS (p<0.05). And cross-sectional area of C-notch before shrinkage significantly increased from 0.54 cm² preoperatively to 0.66 cm² at postoperative 12 months (p<0.05). There were increases in the crosssectional area of C-notch after shrinkage and volume of nasal cavity at postoperative 12 months, but there were no statistical differences. Conclusions: Coblator^® turbinoplasty may be useful for the relief of nasal obstruction in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy until 12 months. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2006;17:79–82)