5 Safety

Guidance

This section describes safety outcomes from the published literature that the Committee considered as part of the evidence about this procedure. For more detailed information on the evidence, see the interventional procedure overview.

5.1 Postoperative bleeding was reported in 27% (8/30) of patients after powered microdebrider turbinoplasty in a randomised controlled trial of 60 patients treated by powered microdebrider or radiofrequency‑assisted turbinoplasty. No further details were provided on the timing, duration or severity of bleeding.

5.2 Postnasal drip was reported in 10% (3/30) of patients after powered microdebrider turbinoplasty in the randomised controlled trial of 60 patients treated by powered microdebrider or radiofrequency‑assisted turbinoplasty.

5.3 Nasal crusting was reported in 12% (7/60) of patients after powered microdebrider turbinoplasty in a randomised controlled trial of 120 patients treated by powered microdebrider or radiofrequency‑assisted turbinoplasty.

5.4 Nasal dryness was reported in 3% (2/80) of patients after powered microdebrider turbinoplasty in a randomised controlled trial of 160 patients treated by powered microdebrider turbinoplasty or submucosal resection of the inferior turbinates.

5.5 Specialist advisers stated that some patients experience 'empty nose syndrome' including dryness, crusting and a paradoxical sense of nasal obstruction caused by some loss of sensation.