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Objectives: To assess the efficacy of temperature-controlled radiofrequency tissue volume reduction (RFTVR) for the
inferior turbinate.
Research designs: Prospective, single-blinded, experimental clinical trial.
Method: Twenty patients with nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy were enrolled. Nasal obstruction
was compared between before and after the treatment (at 1-3 days, 1 week and 6-8 weeks) of RFTVR using subjective
symptom scores, physical findings and videotape images.
Results: Improvement of nasal symptoms was observed as early as 1 week after the operation. However, significant
improvement was obtained at 6-8 weeks.
Conclusion: RFTVR for the turbinate may be useful as an alternative approach for the treatment of chronic turbinate
hypertrophy.
Keywords: Radiofrequency, Nasal obstruction, Nasal turbinate hypertrophy