Laser surgery for allergic rhinitis: The effect on seromucinous glands

Ten patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were subjected to CO2 laser t urbinectomy. Tiny (1 mm(3)) biopsy specimens were taken at the time of surg ery and 1 month thereafter, The biopsy specimens were processed for transmi ssion electron microscopy. Also, the activity of succinic dehydrogenase and cholinesterase enzymes was measured. The study showed that laser turbinect omy was followed by reduction in the number and activity of the glandular a cini in the laser-treated areas. This reduction is ascribed to the local de structive effect of laser energy on the glandular acini and on the surround ing cholinergic nerve fibers, The enzymatic activity of the cholinergic ner ve fibers themselves, however, did not diminish, indicating that laser surg ery has no inhibitory effect on the local allergic reaction.