Comparative Study of Endoscopic Versus Conventional Turbinoplasty on Nasal Obstruction Outcomes

Background: Inferior turbinate hypertrophy is a leading cause of chronic nasal obstruction, frequently necessitating surgical reduction when sustained symptoms persist despite optimized medical therapy. Objective: To comparatively evaluate endoscopic and conventional turbinoplasty regarding symptom improvement, perioperative efficiency, postoperative morbidity, and objective nasal airflow outcomes using robust statistical analysis. Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted at the Department of ENT, 250 Bed Mohammad Ali Hospital, Bogura, from January 2023 to June 2024. One hundred twelve patients were equally allocated to endoscopic and conventional turbinoplasty groups. Variables included NOSE score, nasal airway resistance, blood loss, operative duration, complication rates, and patient satisfaction. Statistical analysis employed paired and unpaired t-tests and chi-square tests. Results: Postoperative NOSE score reduction was significantly greater in the endoscopic group (68.4 ± 9.2 to 18.6 ± 6.1; mean difference 49.8 ± 7.3; 72.8%) compared with the conventional group (66.9 ± 8.7 to 28.4 ± 7.5; difference 38.5 ± 8.1; 57.5%; p < 0.001). Nasal airway resistance decreased by 41.6 ± 9.4% versus 28.9 ± 10.2% (p = 0.002). Mean blood loss was significantly lower (42.3 ± 11.6 mL vs 78.9 ± 18.4 mL; p < 0.001), as was operative time (32.6 ± 6.4 vs 41.8 ± 7.2 minutes; p = 0.002). Postoperative crusting (10.7% vs 30.4%; p = 0.01) and synechiae formation (3.6% vs 12.5%; p = 0.04) were significantly reduced following endoscopic intervention. Conclusion: Endoscopic turbinoplasty demonstrates superior symptomatic relief, improved nasal physiology, reduced perioperative morbidity, and enhanced surgical efficiency, establishing it as a preferable technique for inferior turbinate hypertrophy.