Randomized Trials Comparing Inferior Turbinoplasty Techniques for Nasal Obstruction: A Meta‐analysis

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to systematically review the international literature for randomized trials presenting subjective, long-term outcomes (1-3 years) for nasal obstruction treated with inferior turbinoplasties, followed by a meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed/MEDLINE and 5 other databases. REVIEW METHODS: Two authors searched through October 27, 2024. RESULTS: Four randomized trials with 2874 patients provided outcomes after bilateral inferior turbinoplasties. At 2 years, the microdebrider visual analog scale (VAS) values reduced 81.7% from 8.2 ± 1.4 to 1.5 ± 0.7, the submucosal resection reduced 82.4% from 8.5 ± 1.0 to 1.5 ± 0.6, outfracturing reduced 82.8% from 8.7 ± 1.1 to 1.5 ± 0.7, and radiofrequency ablation increased 8.1% from 7.4 ± 1.0 to 8.0 ± 1.4. At 3 years, the microdebrider VAS values reduced 80.5% from 8.2 ± 1.4 to 1.6 ± 0.8, the submucosal resection reduced 82.4% from 8.5 ± 1.0 to 1.5 ± 0.7, outfracturing reduced 82.8% from 8.7 ± 1.1 to 1.5 ± 0.8, and radiofrequency ablation increased 12.2% from 7.4 ± 1.0 to 8.3 ± 1.4. CONCLUSION: In this systematic review, evaluating data at 2 and 3 years after inferior turbinoplasties, the procedures that removed tissue or outfractured had approximately 80% improvement in the VAS, while techniques that did not remove tissue or outfracture tended to have a recurrence of their nasal obstruction. Additional research is needed.