[Treatment of nasal obstruction with subtotal inferior turbinectomy in chronic rhinitis: a retrospective study on 50 patients].

Between January 1993 and September 1996, 50 patients underwent isolated subtotal turbinectomy (without associated septal intervention). This retrospective study analyzes the short and long-term subjective results after a mean 24-month follow-up. Surgery was successful in 80% of cases yielding good nasal repermeabilization. Rhinorrhea and post nasal drip were improved in 30% of cases. Facial pains and hyposmia were improved in 71% and 89% respectively. No cases of crusting rhinitis were observed. Subtotal inferior turbinectomy, although it has raised some controversy, is the treatment of choice for the patients suffering from chronic rhinitis related to hypertrophy of the inferior nasal conchae resistant to medical treatment.