Complications following total inferior turbinectomy: facts or myths?

Various surgical procedures have been described for the relief of chronic nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy, but none has been consistently satisfactory. We have performed total inferior turbinectomy for this condition for 5 years. Of the 39 patients followed for at least 2 years, 90% were relieved permanently of nasal obstruction. However, only 36% and 61% of patients with rhinorrhoea and anosmia respectively were relieved of these symptoms. Complications were minimal. It is concluded that even in a dry, dusty tropical climate, inferior turbinectomy does not appear to disturb the function of the nasal cavity appreciably.