O.V. Varenkova, N.G. Markovskaya, O.A. Merkulov, O.A. Melnikov ANO GUTA-CLINIC, Moscow Despite the large number of currently available surgical treatments, the search for new, safer and more effective techniques remains a pressing issue in rhinosurgery. The aim of this study is to clinically substantiate and determine the effectiveness of the RFTR method of the inferior turbinates in the treatment of chronic rhinitis and nasal obstruction. At ANO GUTA-Clinic, radiofrequency thermoreduction (RFTR) of the inferior turbinates is used to treat various forms of chronic rhinitis (excluding allergic rhinitis). The procedure is performed using a Somnus high-frequency generator (model S2), which delivers high-frequency alternating current through a tissue electrode needle to reduce their volume. RFTR was performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia: application of 10% Sol. Lidocaine spray and infiltration of 2-3 ml of 2% Sol. Lidocaine under the mucous membrane of the inferior turbinates. An active needle electrode, connected to an electric generator, was inserted into the middle third of the inferior turbinates; the total energy dose was 1000 J (t - 75°C, W - 10-12 W). The return electrode was placed on the skin of the back and connected to the generator to close the circuit. When current passes through the tissue, heat is generated, which promotes tissue heating and protein denaturation without damaging the mucous membrane. After 4-6 weeks, a connective tissue scar forms in the affected area, leading to a reduction in the volume of the inferior turbinates and normalization of respiratory function. RFTR was performed on 20 patients of the main group with the neurovegetative form of chronic rhinitis. In 25 people of the control group with the same form of rhinitis, surgical treatment consisted of bipolar coagulation of the inferior turbinates. Treatment results were assessed based on patient subjective data and confirmed by control rhinomanometry. Improvement in nasal breathing was noted 3-4 days postoperatively in the study group, while the control group experienced deterioration in nasal breathing during the first 4-5 days due to reactive mucosal edema and crust formation, requiring daily nasal care for 7-10 days. Patients in the study group, however, did not experience turbinate swelling or crust formation at the electrode incision site in the early postoperative period, necessitating no long-term nasal care or additional medications, allowing them to return to their normal routine immediately after surgery. At follow-up examinations after 1, 3 and 6 months, improvement of nasal breathing was noted in all patients of both the main and control groups (according to rhinomanometry performed 6 months after the operation, the average value of nasal resistance decreased in the main group by 0.06x0.02 kPa/l and by 0.04*0.02 kPa/l in the control group). Conclusions: 1. This method excludes trauma to the mucous membrane and does not lead to disruption of mucociliary transport, which corresponds to the main principle of minimally invasive rhinosurgery. 2. RFTR is quite an effective method for correction of inferior turbinates in chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. 3. RFTR of the inferior turbinates is a safe treatment method associated with minimal pain and discomfort, not accompanied by swelling of the mucous membrane, bleeding, crust formation in the postoperative period.