Powered-assisted partial turbinectomy versus mometasone furoate nasal spray for relief of nasal blockage in chronic or idiopathic rhinosinusitis

CONCLUSION: Power-assisted turbinectomy is a safe and reliable alternative for patients with nasal blockage if nasal corticosteroid spray therapy is not suitable. OBJECTIVE: Powered-assisted partial turbinectomy was compared to the use of a corticosteroid nasal spray for relief of nasal obstruction in chronic or idiopathic rhinosinusitis. METHODS: Patients were randomized to either power-assisted partial turbinectomy or daily use of mometasone furoate nasal spray for 6 months. Evaluation by peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and grading of symptoms by use of visual analog scale was done after 3 and 6 months. Grading of symptoms was also done by use of a questionnaire approximately 30 months after the last visit. RESULTS: PNIF scores improved for all patients, although significantly only for patients on mometasone spray. Patients' self-reported symptoms decreased more for operated patients. Side effects were few and mild in both groups.