Assessing the efficacy of a modified crushing technique for the management of concha bullosa: a cone beam computer tomography study

Abstract

Introduction: Although many surgical techniques exist to manage obstructive concha bullosa, there continues to be a drive to find the least invasive technique with the fewest complications and best results. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to describe and assess the short- and long-term efficacy of a modified crushing technique for concha bullosa management. Methods: Patients who met inclusion criteria underwent a detailed nasal examination and cone beam computed tomography imaging prior to and after septoplasty with crushing surgery for obstructive concha bullosa. Patients were divided into short- and long-term groups based on their followup period such that the short-term group had a mean followup of 15.14 months (range 6–22 months) and the long-term group had a mean followup of 56.66 (range 29–80) months. Results: Twenty-four cases of obstructive concha bullosa were included in this study with 13 short-term and 11 long-term follow-ups. All patients showed a significantly decreased postoperative CB size (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between age and postoperative CB change in area (p = 0.39) and no significant difference in the amount of postoperative CB area reduction between the short-term and long-term groups (p = 0.35). No patients experienced bleeding, synechia, conchal destruction, or olfactory dysfunction on followup evaluations. Conclusions: Our modified crushing technique is a simple, effective, and lasting treatment option for concha bullosa. From our experience, there have been no complications and no instances of concha bullosa reformation during the follow-up period.

Keywords

• Concha bullosa
• Crushing
• Technique
• Cone beam computed tomography