Best Practice in the Management of Concha Bullosa in FESS Operation

Summary

Concha bullosa (CB) refers to the condition where the middle turbinate's interior is aerated (making the turbinate wide and thick). CB can narrow the middle meatus and the ostiomeatal complex. In adults suffering from chronic sinusitis, the prevalence of CB is approximately 34%. The most common treatment method for CB is turbinate crushing. This is considered a conservative treatment that preserves the mucous membranes relatively intact without opening the interior of the turbinate. Another fairly common method is the removal of the lateral part of the bullous middle turbinate. Opening the CB and removing the lateral part of the middle turbinate can lead to adhesions between the middle turbinate and the lateral wall of the nose. These adhesions can impede airflow and narrow or completely close the ostium or the surgically created middle meatal antrostomy. Crushing the CB is technically easier and possibly a less traumatic procedure. However, it is suspected that some of these crushed bullous turbinates may refill. The development of a mucocele is another potential issue. Crushing might be a better option compared to resection in the long term. Preserving the mucous membranes during crushing may reduce the formation of adhesions, which are sometimes seen after resection of the middle turbinate. The purpose of the study is to investigate the long-term benefits and side effects of CB treatment methods. The study will include 60 patients undergoing a basic Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) procedure due to recurrent or chronic maxillary sinusitis. The patients will be randomized, with 31 undergoing resection and 31 undergoing crushing. Before the procedure, patients will undergo a CT scan (NSO-TT) and symptom evaluation through various questionnaires. All patients will also undergo nasoscopy.

One year after the procedure, the patients' conditions will be reassessed (questionnaires, nasoscopy, NSO-TT only if necessary), including the need for revision surgery.

Conditions

• Sinusitis
• Sinusitis Bacterial
• Sinusitis Recurrent
• Turbinate; Hypertrophy Mucous Membrane
• Turbinate Hypertrophy
• Concha Bullosa
• Middle Turbinate

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Concha bullosa crushing

Concha bullosa crushing

PROCEDURE

Concha bullosa resection

Concha bullosa resection

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Helsinki University Central Hospital

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Markus Lilja, PhD · Helsinki University Central Hospital

• Mario Järvekülg, MD · Helsinki University Central Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-03-21

Primary Completion

2023-07-12

Completion

2025-12-31

Countries

• Finland

Study Locations