The impact of bolgerization versus partial resection of the middle turbinate on frontal sinusotomy patency outcome: A randomised controlled study

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of middle turbinate resection vs bolgerization on the incidence of middle meatus synechia and their prognostic value on the patency outcomes after frontal sinusotomy.

Design: A randomised controlled study.

Setting: Tertiary centre hospital.

Main outcome measures: Thirty-eight patients undergoing bilateral frontal sinusotomy for chronic frontal sinusitis were included. Partial middle turbinate resection was alternated with bolgerization in both nasal cavities of every patient. The Lund-Kennedy endoscopic scores (LKESs) for both sides were compared at the first, third and sixth months postoperatively. Middle meatus synechia was assessed using the visual analogue score (VAS). Sinus patency was assessed at the end of the sixth month using a 70° nasal endoscope.

Results: The sinus patency outcome was significantly higher in the resected group (34\38) than the bolgerized group (26\38), (P = .047*). The VAS scores suggested that the middle turbinate bolgerization group showed a significantly higher incidence of middle meatal synechia than the partial middle turbinate resection group (4.47 ± 2.617 vs 3.29 ± 2.301; P = .040*).

Conclusion: Middle turbinate resection showed more favourable results than bolgerization concerning the sinus patency outcome after frontal sinusotomy. It also showed a lower incidence of middle meatus synechia postoperatively.