Comparison of efficacy of laser and radio-wave methods of surgical treatment of patients with chronic rhinitis

Abstract

Introduction. Chronic rhinitis occurs more often in patients; it’s symptoms deteriorate their quality of life, affect sleeping, daily activity, and sometimes cause complications. The treatment depends on the clinical symptoms. In case of inefficiency of conservative therapy, surgery is indicated. Choosing an exact surgical instrument is still controversial.Objective. The aim of our study is to compare using semiconductor laser (wavelength 1.56 mkm) and radiofrequency (4 MHz) in patients with chronic rhinitis.Materials and methods. 60 patients with chronic drug-induced rhinitis aged 19–80 years were recruited and divided into two equal groups. All patients underwent surgical procedures: semiconductor laser (IRE-Polus) and radiofrequency (Ellman Surgitron) inferior nasal turbinate reduction. To assess and compare the healing process in two groups we used endoscopy and active anterior rhinomanometry. All patients filled out the SNOT-20 questionnaire. For the mucociliary clearance evaluation saccharin test was used. We observed patients during 12 months.Conclusion. Both, laser and radiofrequency, techniques are effective in patients with chronic rhinitis. In laser group shorter healing period was observed, what leads to rehabilitation shortening and life quality improvement.

Keywords

• chronic rhinitis
• drug-induced rhinitis
• allergic rhinitis
• laser surgery
• radiofrequency inferior nasal turbinate reduction