Patient Satisfaction After Noninvasive Contact Monopolar Radiofrequency Treatment for Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) is a frequent anatomic contributor to chronic nasal obstruction in both chronic hypertrophic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. Although several surgical turbinate reduction techniques exist, treatment acceptance and real-world uptake are strongly influenced by patient-perceived discomfort, downtime, and overall satisfaction. Objective: To evaluate patient satisfaction after noninvasive contact monopolar radiofrequency (RF) treatment for ITH and to describe short-term symptom change and safety in a large single-center cohort. Methods: The authors performed an observational study of 212 consecutive adults with chronic nasal obstruction attributed to ITH. Patients underwent office-based noninvasive contact monopolar RF applied to the inferior turbinate mucosa under endoscopic guidance. Pulsed RF was delivered using 1 MHz for noninflammatory hypertrophy and 2 MHz for inflammatory hypertrophy (power 8 W, pulse duration ≤100 ms, 3–5 applications per turbinate; cumulative delivery limited to a device-defined safety cap to reduce mucosal burn risk). The primary outcome was patient satisfaction at week 12 using a 5-point Likert scale. Secondary outcomes included NOSE score, VAS nasal obstruction, medication use, and adverse events. Results (Example Reporting): At week 12, 82.1% of patients were “Satisfied” or “Very satisfied” with treatment (95% CI: 76.4–86.7). Mean NOSE score improved from 63.8±14.9 at baseline to 28.9±15.8 at week 12, and VAS nasal obstruction improved from 7.2±1.6 to 3.1±2.0. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusion: In this 212-patient observational cohort, office-based noninvasive monopolar RF treatment for ITH was associated with high patient satisfaction and clinically meaningful short-term symptom improvement with minimal downtime. Given the procedural burden of conventional turbinate surgery, patient-centered endpoints such as satisfaction should be considered key outcomes when evaluating noninvasive turbinate therapies.
Authors: Tae Hwan Ahn, Jung Ho Bae, Yong Min Kim, Chan Hyoung Yoo, Nam H. Seok, Kyu-Ho Yi
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7162682571