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. 2013 Dec;6(4):231-6.
doi: 10.3342/ceo.2013.6.4.231. Epub 2013 Nov 29.

Learning curve of septoplasty with radiofrequency volume reduction of the inferior turbinate

Sung Jae Heo  1 , Chang Mook Park  1 , Jung Soo Kim  1
Affiliations

Learning curve of septoplasty with radiofrequency volume reduction of the inferior turbinate

Sung Jae Heo et al. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: Since few studies on surgical training and learning curves have been performed, majority of inexperienced surgeons are anxious about performing operations. We aimed to access the results and learning curve of septoplasty with radiofrequency volume reduction (RFVR) of the inferior turbinate.

Methods: We included 270 patients who underwent septoplasty with RFVR of the inferior turbinate by 6 inexperienced surgeons between January 2009 and July 2011. We analyzed success score, cases of revision, cases of complication, operation time, and acoustic rhinometry.

Results: Success score was relatively high and every surgeon had few cases of revision and complication. No significant difference was found in success score, revision, complication case, or acoustic rhinometry values between early cases and later cases. Operation time decreased according to increase in experience. However, there was no significant difference in the operation time after more than 30 cases.

Conclusion: We can conclude that 30 cases are needed to develop mature surgical skills for septoplasty with RFVR of the inferior turbinate and that training surgeons do not need to be anxious about performing this operation in the unskilled state.

Keywords: Nasal Concha; Nasal septum; Operative procedure; Surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Operation time of cases operated on by surgeons D-F.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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