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Bipolar Electrofulgration with Endoscopic Approach in Allergic Turbinates

Dr. Sohail Abdul Malik, DLO, FCPS (ENT), Dr. Pooja Chodankar, MBBS, DLO, Dr. Pradeep Shenoy, MD, DLO, FRCS, FACS,

Former Head of ENT Department Armed Forces Hospital, Kuwait,
Currently the ENT service chief, Campbellton Regional Hospital, Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Rhinological practice in Kuwait has always included a barrage of cases of allergic rhinitis. Arrays of treatment modalities like monopolar electrocautery to the inferior turbinates and laser vaporization have been experimented with and have yielded a diversity of results. Here is a synopsis of the use of endoscopic bipolar cauterization of middle and inferior turbinates in cases of allergic rhinitis, a treatment which achieves superior results in comparison with other therapeutic options.
Key Words: bipolar cauterization, bipolar electrofulguration, inferior turbinates, nasoendoscope.

Allergic rhinitis is a common problem in the Middle East region; several treatment modalities have been experimented with to improve patient symptoms.
Cautery with a specially designed bipolar probe can be used to cauterize different parts of the turbinates.
Endoscopic bipolar diathermy was deemed to be less useful in patients with moderate to severe deviation of the septum who were therefore excluded from the study.
Endoscopic bipolar diathermy demonstrated better long term results than other treatment options such as: submucosal diathermy, partial inferior turbinectomy and linear cautery.
Endoscopic bipolar diathermy as a treatment option increased nasal airflow with minimal damage to the mucocillary function and maximal destruction of submucosal tissue to the engorged portion of the inferior turbinates.
There is evidence of subjective improvement in the nasal symptoms of 89.1% of cases, and objective improvement of symptoms in 65.5% of cases which combined rhinomanometric study and nasoendoscopy.
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