Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis Using Bipolar Radiofrequency-Assisted Partial Turbinoplasty

Lim, Dae Jun; Kang, Sung Ho; Kim, Bo Hyung; Cho, Young Chan; Oh, Dae Hyeon; Jung, Min Sup; Kim, Hyung Gon

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The ideal treatment for allergic rhinitis that is refractory to medical therapy is still lacking. Recently, radiofrequency-assisted partial turbinoplasty (RFAPT) has been introduced as a new treatment modality for reduction of inferior turbinate volume. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of RFAPT for the treatment of allergic rhinitis that is unresponsive to medical therapy and compare the postoperative outcome of RFAPT with that of Laser-assisted partial turbinoplasty (LAPT). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Forty-eight patients with nasal obstruction due to allergic rhinitis which is refractory to medical therapy were prospectively evaluated with a follow-up period of 3 months. Twenty patients (40 sides) were treated with RFAPT, and 28 patients (56 sides) with LAPT. The the degree of postoperative changes in nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, itchy nose, sneezing, operation time, operation-associated pain, intraoperative bleeding, duration of crust formation was compared between the two surgical methods. RESULT: There were no significant differences in the improvement of allergic symptoms and intraoperative bleeding between the two groups. Operative time was less in the RFAPT group and crust was formed for a shorter postoperative period. Operation-associated pain was less in the LAPT group. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that RFAPT appears to be effective for treating allergic rhinitis whihc demonstrates poor response to medical therapy.