Background:In this study we evaluated the effects of inferior turbinate radiofrequency ablation (RFA), performed a er septoplasty, on patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms.
Methods:This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study involving 60 patients with both a deviated nasal septum (DNS) and AR. Those who underwent septoplasty/sham surgery constituted the Septo-Sham group and those who underwent septoplasty/RFA formed the Septo-RFA group. Demographic factors, pre-and postoperative symptom scores for allergic rhinitis (SFARs), and Nasal Obstruction and Septoplasty Effectiveness Scale (NOSE) scores were calculated. We subdivided the total SFAR (tS-FAR) scores into scores for nasal obstruction (SFAR-NO) and scores for symptoms other than nasal obstruction (SFAR-SONO); the la er included rhinorrhea, itching, and sneezing.
Results:The baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The 2 types of surgery improved both the NOSE and SFAR scores. In subgroup analysis according to the type of symptoms, both types of surgery showed improvement in SFAR-NO and SFAR-SONO scores. However, the extent of improvement did not differ between the groups, regardless of the type of symptoms.
Conclusion:For patients with both DNS and AR, both types of surgery afford postoperative symptomatic improvement. Both types of surgery yielded improvement in both nasal obstruction and symptoms other than nasal obstruction. However, performing RFA a er septoplasty did not afford further short-term symptomatic improvements. Thus, septoplasty without RFA may be optimal for patients with both DNS and AR. C 2019 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
How to Cite this Article:Kang T, Sung CM, Yang HC. Radiofrequency ablation of turbinates a er septoplasty has no effect on allergic rhinitis symptoms other than nasal obstruction. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9:1257-1262.T he principal surgical option for patients with nasal obstruction due to deviated nasal septum (DNS) is septoplasty, which straightens the DNS and improves nasal ventilation; this is usually performed when medication alone is