Modified method of submucosal turbinectomy: mucosal flap method.

Sixteen patients with nasal obstructions were treated by use of a new technique of submucosal turbinectomy (mucosal flap method) which can reduce a large volume of the turbinate without leaving any mucosal defect. Subjective nasal obstruction showed improvement in all of the cases at 1 month after operation, and objective nasal obstruction examined with rhinomanometry was improved in 13 out of 16 sides of the noses (8 cases). Mucosal flaps were made from the turbinate mucosa facing the common meatus. After excision of the turbinate bone with the mucosa, the bone stump and mucosal defect were covered with the newly repositioned mucosal flap. It is considered that this mucosal flap method can reduce a large volume of the turbinate without leaving any mucosal defect.