The clinical efficacy of septoplasty and inferior turbinate reconstruction in unilateral atrophic rhinitis

Introduction Atrophic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic disease affecting nasal mucosa and turbinates. Patients with AR mainly present with nasal obstruction, fetor, nasal discharge, anosmia, epistaxis, and excessive crustations. AR may be primary or secondary. One of the causes of secondary AR is the markedly deviated nasal septum. Incidence of AR varies from 0.3 to 1% of population. Objectives Our aim was to study the effect of septoplasty and inferior turbinate reconstruction with the autogenous septal cartilage in the management of secondary AR due to deviated nasal septum. Patients and methods The study was done on 13 patients. Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) was estimated preoperative and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Septoplasty and usage of autogenous septal cartilage for reconstruction of inferior turbinate were done. Results The results were significant and showed dramatic improvement in SNOT-25 and quality of life, with no complications during 12 months postoperatively. Conclusion Surgical correction of secondary AR, due to deviated nasal septum, by septoplasty and inferior turbinate reconstruction with autogenous cartilage had good effect on SNOT-25 and quality of life, with no complications.