Publication:

Pediatric turbinoplasty: what is the impact of allergy on long-term outcomes?

Background The use of inferior turbinoplasty (IT) in pediatric patients is controversial, especially in the presence of allergic rhinitis. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term results of radiofrequency inferior turbinoplasty in allergic versus non-allergic children.

Methods Children operated between 2017 and 2019 and whose intervention included radiofrequency IT were included. Multiple scores were collected in 2021 through a telephone call to parents. A comparison was made between allergic children (AC) and non-allergic children (NAC).

Results 41 children were included. Parents of AC reported a higher degree of dissatisfaction with surgery (AC: 0.8±1 verses NAC: 0.2±0.5, p=0.026). AC revealed a greater dependence on medication in order to control nasal obstruction (41% in AC vs 6% in NAC, p=0.010). The total Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score was higher in AC (mean AC 26±25 verses mean NAC 5±12, p=0.003). The sinus and nasal quality of life 5 SN-5 score was higher in AC (mean AC 2.5±1 vs NAC mean 1.4±0.8, p<0.001).AC had a lower score on the SN-5 quality of life scale (mean AC 6.6±2.4 vs NAC mean 8.3±1.8, p=0.014).

Conclusions Radiofrequency IT alone does not seem effective in the long-term resolution of nasal obstruction in AC.