Long-term effectiveness, safety, and quality of life outcomes following endoscopic posterior nasal neurectomy with submucosal turbinectomy for the treatment of intractable severe chronic rhinitis

Objective: In recent decades, posterior nasal neurectomy (PNN) with submucosal inferior turbinectomy (ST) has been increasingly used for the treatment of intractable severe rhinitis; however, to the best of our knowledge, there have been few studies regarding its long-term therapeutic effects or its influence on patient quality of life (QOL). Therefore, this study examined the long-term therapeutic effects in patients who underwent PNN with ST, as well as their QOL and medication use after surgery.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study initially included 16 consecutive patients who underwent PNN with ST from January 2010 to December 2011. Ten of the 16 patients participated in a paper-based survey questionnaire between June 2018 and November 2018; the responses of these 10 patients were used for analysis in this study. To clarify the effects of surgical treatment on symptoms, QOL, and medication status, data recorded before and 3 months after surgery were compared with data recorded at 8 years after surgery using the Japan Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire No. 1 and Classification of the Severity of Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms I and II.

Results: Nasal symptoms including runny nose and nasal congestion, medication score, respective total symptoms medication scores (i.e., combined average total symptoms score and medication score), and the scores of troubles with daily life and total QOL were significantly improved at 3 months and 8 years after surgery, compared with before surgery; scores were not significantly worsened at 8 years after surgery, compared with 3 months after surgery. In addition, there were no adverse events requiring treatment after surgery.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that PNN with ST is effective and safe for long-term treatment of severe chronic rhinitis symptoms, as well as reduction of medication use and improvement of QOL.