The application of an ultrasonic bone aspirator for septoturbinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to introduce the use of an ultrasonic bone aspirator (UBA; SONOPET [Mutoh Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan]) for septoturbinoplasty and to evaluate the efficacy and usefulness of this surgical procedure.

DESIGN: This was a retrospective chart review.

SETTING: This study was performed at a university medical center.

METHODS: Of the 53 patients who underwent septoturbinoplasty from July to October 2013, 30 were operated on using a UBA and were enrolled in this study. Patients were followed for more than 6 months after surgery. Patterns of septal deviation and surgical results and complications were investigated by paranasal sinus computed tomography scans, nasal endoscopy, and acoustic rhinometry. Improvement of symptoms was measured using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale.

RESULTS: Patterns of bony septal deviation were classified as follows: localized septal bony spur or crest (n = 7), basal bony septal deviation (n = 9), posterior bony septal deviation (n = 8), bony spur with basal part deviation (n = 5), and basal and posterior bony septal deviation (n = 1).Twenty-six patients underwent septoplasty with bilateral inferior turbinate reduction surgery using either a microdebrider (n = 10) or a microdebrider with UBA (n = 16). Four patients underwent septoplasty with unilateral turbinate reduction surgery using a microdebrider and UBA. Based on nasal endoscopic findings after surgery, 24 patients had a straight septum, whereas 6 exhibited minimal remaining curvature. Subjective symptoms of nasal obstruction evaluated using the visual analog scale and the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale were improved in all patients. Surgery using a UBA increased minimal cross-sectional area and nasal volume change in patients. There were no significant complications related to UBA use such as saddle nose, bleeding, or septal perforation.

CONCLUSIONS: Application of a UBA for septo-turbinate surgery is an easy, safe, and effective method that reduces the occurrence of common complications, such as septal perforation, delayed healing, infection, and bleeding. In addition, the UBA produces minimal thermal and mechanical injury to surrounding tissue and enables precise and incremental bone removal with continuous irrigation and suction. This tool allows for easy sculpting and reduction of bony architecture of the nasal cavity.