Argon Plasma Coagulation for Intractable Nasal Obstruction Occurring in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

New surgical treatment for the intractable nasal obstruction in patients with nasal allergy by using Argon Plasma Coagula tor (APC) was introduced. Of patients with allergic rhinitis treated at our institute, 28 patients complaining nasal obstruction were treated APC surgery. Epithelization of the mucosa of inferior turbinate was almost completely accomplished at 4 weeks after surgery, at which time mucosal swelling was reduced, and nasal obstruction was ameliorated in all cases, though a crust and fibrin membrane adhered to the mucosa between 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, resulting in temporary exacerbation of nasal obstruction. Nasal obstruction was again aggravated in only one patient about 6 months after surgery, but such symptom could be ameliorated by re-coagulation. No bleeding and no smoke occurred in the operation. No morbidity was also noticed after operation. APC is easy to perform safely and effectively compared with another laser surgeries, and is useful for intractable nasal obstruction occurring in patients with allergic rhinitis.

International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: Allergic rhinitis – 2023

“…Bony outfracture, the most atraumatic and conservative IT surgery, 2301 can reduce the distance between IT and lateral nasal wall and enlarge the dimensions of the nasal airway when performed alone 2302,2303 or in conjunction with other techniques 2304,2305 . IT surgery via energy‐related techniques 2304–2363 and via direct tissue removal 1093,2296,2299,2303,2307,2310,2331,2332,2335,2336,2338,2344,2364–2376 have both been extensively studied, with reported high efficacy in reducing symptoms and increasing nasal volume and airflow with minimal complications. Of note, botulinum toxin injection 2377–2379 and high‐intensity focused ultrasound may also provide symptomatic relief, 2380,2381 though there remains limited evidence for their utility.…”

Early clinical outcomes of ınferior turbinate radiofrequency and lateralization combined with septoplasty

“…Turbinate surgery aims to reduce the volume of tissue while preserving mucociliary function; however, most methods do not achieve this goal. 3 , 4 Inferior turbinate radiofrequency and inferior turbinate lateralization are frequently preferred because of their successful outcomes and low rates of complications (e.g., bleeding and crusting). 5 Although reliable objective criteria and methods have been developed for evaluating nasal function, there is still little correlation between the findings of objective examinations and patients’ subjective findings.…”