Author(s)
Dae Jun Lim, MD, PhD
Affiliation(s)
Konkuk University, Chungju Hospital
Abstract:
Objectives; The ideal treatment for allergic rhinitis refractory to medical therapy is still lacking. This department has attempted a Coblator®-assisted partial turbinoplasty (CAPT) for patients with allergic rhinitis for which drug treatment has not been responsive or its effect has been inadequate at best. This investigation sought after its effect, compared and analyzed the effect of laser-assisted partial turbinoplasty (LAPT).Methods; All of the patients underwent CAPT or LAPT and were observed postoperatively for more than 6 months. Postoperative changes in degree of nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, itchy nose, sneezing, operation time, intra-operative bleeding, operation-associated pain and duration of crust formation were compared between the two surgical methods.Results; The symptoms of allergy rhinitis were significantly improved in both CAPT and LAPT groups. In all symptoms, there was no statistical significant difference between CAPT and LAPT with respect to the extent of symptomatic improvement 3 months after surgery. However, 6 months after surgery, patients in the CAPT group experienced less rhinorrhea and sneezing compared to the LAPT group. The operation time was significantly shorter for the CAPT group. The patients of the LAPT group experienced less operation-associated pain than the CAPT group . The recovery time was significantly shorter for the CAPT group.Conclusion; The study demonstrates that CAPT appears to be effective for treating allergic rhinitis with poor response to medical therapy. In comparison with LAPT, symptomatic improvements are similar but the operation and recovery times are shorter. However, pain is much more severe than LAPT.