Evaluation of treatment efficacy in patients with minimal nasal septum deviation and concha bullosa using the nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to compare the treatment efficacy of middle turbinate lateral lamella resection alone with septoplasty plus middle turbinate lateral lamella resection for nasal stuffiness in two patient groups using the nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale in patients with concomitant minimal nasal septum deviation and concha bullosa. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 80 patients who had minimal nasal septum deviation and concha bullosa at the middle turbinate were included in this study. Of these patients, 40 patients underwent middle turbinate lateral lamella resection, while 40 patients underwent middle turbinate lateral lamella resection plus septoplasty under general anesthesia. Complaints of nasal stuffiness in patients included were evaluated with the NOSE scale before the operation and three months after the operation. RESULTS When preoperative and postoperative NOSE scale parameters were compared, all parameters statistically significantly improved postoperatively in both groups (p<0.05). The total NOSE scores were decreased significantly after surgery. CONCLUSION Middle turbinate lateral lamella resection alone is as efficient as septoplasty plus middle turbinate lateral lamella resection for the treatment of symptomatic nasal stuffiness in selected patients.