Posterior Nasal Nerve Neurolysis in Addition to Radiofrequency Ablation of the Inferior Turbinates for Patients with Chronic Rhinitis.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of radiofrequency ablation of the inferior turbinates (RFITs) combined with posterior nasal nerve neurolysis (RPN3) in comparison with RFIT alone in the treatment of patients with chronic rhinitis unresponsive to pharmacological therapy.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on adult and adolescent patients with chronic rhinitis who demonstrated a poor response to medication. Patients with a total 24-h reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) of ≥5, rhinorrhea score of ≥2, and congestion score of ≥2 were included. The treatment outcomes of patients who underwent RPN3 and RFIT alone were assessed. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in 24-h rTNSS, Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores, and the response rate defined as rTNSS improved by ≧30% during follow-ups.

Results: A total of 64 patients were included (45 males, 70.3%). Overall, 49 patients underwent RPN3, and 15 patients underwent RFIT alone. The rTNSS had improved by 78.4% and 65.8% in RPN3 and RFIT groups, respectively (both p < 0.001). The NOSE score had improved by 92.89% and 86.81% in the RPN3 and RFIT groups (both p < 0.001), respectively. Patients in the RPN3 group demonstrated statistically significantly better results after 3 months than patients in the RFIT alone group (p < 0.05). The response rate was 98% in the RPN3 group after 3 months.

Conclusions: The proposed RPN3 alleviated rhinitis symptoms, which demonstrated a high response rate with a superior symptom control rate than RFIT alone in chronic rhinitis with severe rhinorrhea and nasal congestion cases.