Authors: Wojood Mohammed Al-Talhi , Taif Abdulrazaq Alghamdi , Shaden Othman Bamusa , Ali Saad Almuntashiri , Jana Ahmad Alshehri , Shahad Matuq Althomali , Ammar Abdullah Alsabilah , Almas Ahmed Alarjan , Saud Ayed Alharthi

Abstract

Chronic nasal obstruction that caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy is common thus surgical intervention is needed when medical treatments fail. Microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty (MAT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) represent two minimally invasive approaches, yet their comparative long-term efficacy and safety remain subject of debate. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of MAT and RFA in improving both objective and subjective measures of nasal obstruction, as well as to evaluate their respective safety profiles. Thesearch was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the last ten years. The studies included were those that compared MAT and RFA in adults with turbinate hypertrophy. The analysis of the included RCTs showed that both MAT and RFA provided significant and comparable short-term improvements (3-12 months) in objective nasal airflow and subjective nasal obstruction. However, long-term data (up to 3 years) indicated that MAT resulted in superior outcomes, including greater improvement in nasal patency and a significantly lower rate of disease recurrence. The safety profiles of the two techniques also varied; RFA was associated with prolonged postoperative crusting, while MAT had a higher incidence of intraoperative bleeding. In conclusion, both MAT and RFA are effective treatments for inferior turbinate hypertrophy. For patients seeking a more durable long-term solution, MAT is recommended due to its superior efficacy and lower recurrence rates. Ultimately, clinical decision should be customized based on patient preference and a through discussion of specific risk profiles.

Keywords: Chronic Nasal Obstruction, Inferior Turbinate, Microdebrider-Assisted Turbinoplasty, Nasal Turbinate, Radiofrequency Ablation