Comparative Study of Improvement of Nasal Symptoms Following Septoplasty with Partial Inferior Turbinectomy Versus Septoplasty Alone in Adults by NOSE Scale: A Prospective Study.

To compare the symptomatic improvement of nasal symptoms following septoplasty with partial inferior turbinectomy (groups A) versus septoplasty alone (groups B) and to assess the improvement of nasal symptoms in both surgical groups before and after surgery by NOSE scale. This Tertiary Hospital based study was carried out between August 2012 and April 2014. 60 cases with septal deviation and contralateral inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale for evaluating nasal symptoms. Patients were alternatively divided into two surgical groups, group A. Septoplasty with partial inferior turbinectomy and group B septoplasty alone. Post-operative patient's symptoms evaluated by NOSE scale at 1, 3 and 6 months. Data analysed using tables, graph and percentage and test of significance like paired t test, Friedman test, Chi square test used. Post operative improvement following both group A septoplasty with partial inferior turbinectomy and group B in those undergoing septoplasty alone was highly significant (p < 0.001) at post-op 1, 3 and 6 months subjectively. When both groups were compared those undergoing partial inferior turbinectomy surgery with septoplasty had highly significant results (p < 0.001) for subjective assessment by NOSE scale. This study showed that hypertrophied turbinate need to be addressed in chronic cases of nasal obstruction with deviated nasal septum and contralateral turbinate hypertrophy. partial inferior turbinectomy should be done in addition to septoplasty, its highly effective modality for the treatment of nasal obstruction in patients with deviated nasal septum. NOSE score can be used as a subjective tool for symptomatic measurement of patients with nasal obstruction.