Benefits and risks
When NICE looked at the evidence, it decided that the procedure is safe enough and works well enough for use in the NHS. The 8 studies that NICE looked at involved a total of 887 patients.
Generally, they showed the following benefits:
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improvements in symptoms such as a blocked nose, sneezing, runny nose and snoring
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improvements in the nasal airway
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increased space in the nose.
The studies showed that the risks of powered microdebrider turbinoplasty included the following after the procedure:
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bleeding in about a third of patients
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a runny nose in about 10% of patients
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a crust forming in the nose in about 12% of patients
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a dry nose in about 3% of patients.
NICE was also told that some patients also experience 'empty nose syndrome', which includes dryness, crusting and a sense that the nose is blocked because of a loss of sensation.
If you want to know more about the studies see the guidance. Ask your health professional to explain anything you don't understand.
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