Study of inferior turbinate reconstruction with Medpor for the treatment of empty nose syndrome.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Patients with empty nose syndrome experience considerable discomfort in their daily lives and treatment is difficult for their physicians. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of an empty nose syndrome treatment via reconstruction of the inferior turbinate with porous polyethylene (Medpor). DESIGN AND METHOD A prospective self-controlled study was conducted, and 19 patients suffering from empty nose syndrome underwent a surgical therapy through submucosal implantation of Medpor in order to reconstruct their inferior turbinate. The outcome was assessed by comparison of the preoperative and follow-up symptoms, nasal endoscopy findings, CT scans, mucociliary clearance, acoustic rhinometry, and the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 scores. RESULTS In a follow-up period of 3 to 18 months, all patients reported subjective symptom improvements and a statistically significant improvement of the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test scores was achieved (P < 0.05). Mucociliary clearance assessments showed improvements at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, but without statistical significance. Acoustic rhinometry assessments showed postoperative improvements of nasal resistance, nasal volume, and minimum cross-sectional area with a significant overall average score (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The reconstruction of inferior turbinate with Medpor is a new promising approach to treat patients with empty nose syndrome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.