[Partial lower turbinectomy in children: indications, technique, results].

Inferior turbinate surgery has been proposed as a treatment modality in severe childhood hypertrophic rhinitis refractory to medical treatment. The authors present a series of 38 children treated in the otorhinolaryngology department of the Timone University Hospital, Marseille, and the Rangueil University Hospital, Toulouse. Thirty eight children between 9 and 16 years of age (27 males and 11 females) underwent a bilateral inferior turbinectomy, and followed-up for a period of 6 months to 4 years. Allergy was fund in 19 patients, asthma in 11 patients, and an underlying sinus pathology associated in 9 patients. Turbinate surgery was isolated in 16 cases, and in 22 cases, it was associated with an adenoidectomy, a septoplasty, and/or an ethmoidectomy. The authors discuss the operative indications, and describe the turbinectomy technique in children. Post-operative complications are rare (no crusting rhinitis, one non symptomatic synechia). One case of nasal bleeding was noted after nasal packing removal. Functional obstructive symptoms were improved in near 90% of cases. Asthma was improved or disappeared in 27.3% of cases, and no cases of worsening asthma was noted. The authors conclude that this type of turbinectomy is efficient and non-iatrogenic when a precise indication and a rigorous technique are applied.