A comparison of anterior and radical trimming of the inferior nasal turbinates and the effects on nasal resistance to airflow.

A study of 18 patients with chronic rhinitis who underwent anterior or radical trimming of the inferior turbinates is presented. Radical trimming produced a significant decrease in both total nasal resistance to airflow and subjective nasal obstruction (P less than 0.005). Anterior trimming produced a significant decrease in total nasal resistance to airflow (P less than 0.05), but had no significant effect on subjective nasal obstruction. These results suggest that the main site of nasal resistance in patients with chronic rhinitis is the same as in the normal nose. On the basis of this study, adoption of anterior trimming in place of radical trimming of the inferior turbinates cannot be recommended.