Sinus surgery showdown: crushing vs cutting for a common nose problem

NCT ID NCT06687629

Symptom relief Sponsor: Helsinki University Central Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at two methods to treat concha bullosa, a condition where the middle turbinate in the nose is enlarged and can block sinuses. 62 adults with chronic sinusitis were randomly assigned to have the turbinate crushed or partially removed during sinus surgery. After one year, the researchers checked symptoms and healing to see which method caused fewer problems like scar tissue or the turbinate refilling.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: concha bullosa crushing or resection (procedure)
What this could lead to: If crushing works better, it could become the preferred, less invasive way to treat concha bullosa during sinus surgery, reducing complications like adhesions.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed study with only 62 patients. Crushing might not last and the turbinate could refill. Results may not apply to everyone.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

62 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Mar 2018

Finished

Dec 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis * 3 months of regular nasal corticosteroid usage * No prior endoscopic procedures of the paranasal sinuses * EPOS criteria for CRS are met: inflammation of the paranasal sinuses with at least 2 symptoms, one of which must be nasal obstruction/congestion or nasal discharge (anterior/posterior): * facial pain/pressure in the facial area * reduced or lost sense of smell SNOT-22 25 or higher * Complications of CRS (e.g., mucocele) * Pregnancy/breastfeeding or plans for them in the near future * Coagulation disorders * Systemic diseases: cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dysfunction, sarcoidosis, Wegener's granulomatosis * Immunosuppression: diagnosed SAD, CVI, HIV, or use of biological/immunosuppressive drugs * Immunotherapy * Daily use of systemic corticosteroids * Communication issues (non-Finnish-speaking patient, neurological/psychiatric problems) * SNOT-22 score \< 25

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic rhinosinusitis sinusitis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Concha bullosa Middle turbinate Sinusitis Sinusitis bacterial Sinusitis recurrent Turbinate hypertrophy Turbinate; hypertrophy mucous membrane

Sinus surgery showdown: crushing vs cutting for a common nose problem

What the study statuses mean