LASER TREATMENT OF RHINITIS - 1 YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Laser cautery of the inferior turbinates for the treatment of rhinitis has been shown to be as effective as sub-mucosal diathermy in the sho rt-term and to produce less morbidity. However, the long-term effects are unknown. A cohort of patients who were treated by either of these methods were reviewed 1 year after treatment. Subjective and objective measurements of airway obstruction were performed using a linear anal ogue scale and a nasal peak inspiratory flowmeter. The results obtaine d were compared with those recorded pre-operatively, 3 days post-opera tively and 6 days post-operatively. In contrast to the results of sub- mucous diathermy of the inferior turbinates for the treatment of rhini tis, the reduction in subjective nasal airway obstruction obtained by laser cautery to the inferior turbinates is maintained 1 year after su rgery. Neither method of turbinate reduction was associated with a sus tained objective improvement in nasal airway patency as measured by pe ak nasal inspiratory flow rate determinations.