Argon plasma surgery for the inferior turbinate of patients with perennial nasal allergy

OBJECTIVES: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a new electrosurgical modality. The advantages of APC are coagulating of the target tissue without contact and the creation of uniformly deep devitalized and coagulated zones. The objectives of the present study were to determine the clinical effects of APC for the inferior turbinate of patients with nasal allergy and to clarify the histological changes in the mucosa after APC. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective study, 95 patients with perennial nasal allergy were treated with APC. Nasal symptoms and intranasal findings were evaluated preoperatively and 1, 3, and 6 months, and 1 year after the APC. Mucosal specimens from the turbinates were examined under light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Nasal stuffiness was improved in 77 of 79 (97.5%) patients after 1 month, in 50 of 51 (98.0%) patients after 3 months, in 20 of 23 (87.0%) patients after 6 months, and in 9 of 12 (75.0%) patients at 1 year after the APC. Rhinorrhea was improved in 46 of 75 (61.3%) patients after 1 month, in 40 of 51 (78.4%) patients after 3 months, in 16 of 21 (76.2%) patients after 6 months, and in 6 of 10 (60.0%) patients at 1 year after the APC. The sneezing was improved in 32 of 54 (59.3%) patients after 1 month, in 21 of 35 (60.0%) patients after 3 months, in 10 of 14 (71.4%) patients after 6 months, and in 6 of 8 (75.0%) patients at 1 year after the APC. In the intranasal findings, congestion of the inferior turbinate improved in 75 of 76 (98.7%) patients after 1 month, in 49 of 52 (94.2%) patients after 3 months, in 20 of 23 (87.0%) patients after 6 months, and in 7 of 11 (63.6%) patients at 1 year after the APC. The nasal discharge was reduced in 40 of 75 (53.3%) patients after 1 month, in 32 of 52 (61.5%) patients after 3 months, in 15 of 22 (68.2%) patients after 6 months, and in 5 of 11 (45.5%) patients at 1 year after the APC. No patients needed nasal packing after the APC. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the clinical effects of turbinate surgery for nasal allergy using APC. APC was useful fer turbinate surgery of nasal allergy, especially for nasal stuffiness and congestion of the turbinate.     

Contact laser turbinate surgery for the treatment of idiopathic rhinitis

To evaluate the value of contact laser turbinate surgery using a diode laser in the treatment of idiopathic rhinitis, 53 patients were examined before and after surgery. Six months following surgery, nasal obstruction was significantly improved and a significant decrease in nasal airway resistance was noted on active rhinomanometric measurements (P < 0.05). There were no significant post-operative changes in olfactory acuity using the butanol threshold test and in mucociliary transport using the saccharin transit time. The results of this study suggest that contact laser turbinate surgery may be a valuable alternative form of surgical treatments for patients with idiopathic rhinitis.     

Long-term results after argon plasma coagulation (APC) inferior turbinates reduction

Interior turbinate hypertrophy is one of the major causes of nasal airway obstruction. Medical treatment often produces insufficient improvements. In these cases, surgical reduction of inferior turbinates can be proposed. Authors analyzed long-term results of argon plasma coagulation (APC) for inferior turbinates reduction in patients with chronic nasal obstruction. Rhinomanometric parameters, clearance of saccharine test results and cytological examination were statistically analyzed in 70 patients after 3 month and in 47 after 12 month after surgery. Five patients received a second operation. Only patients with first degree in T/S (turbinate/septum) nasal septum deviation were enrolled in both groups. Every patients were treated ineffectively with nasal drops. All patients received topical anesthesia. The procedure of APC were easy to perform end we did not experience postoperative bleeding. Rhinomanometric measurement demonstrated a significant nasal flow at 3 and 12 month after APC. Before 3 and 12 month after surgery the values for resistance shoved significant difference. There were no changes in saccharine transit - time during the follow-up period. At 3 postoperative month, the nasal stuffiness had improved 62 (88%) patients. At 12 month after surgery, the nasal stuffines had improved 34 (73%) patients. APC was shown to effectively reduce the symptom of nasal obstruction without any complications. Argon Plasma Coagulation should be an alternative method in treating the patients with hyperplastic inferior turbinate.     

Long-term comparison between submucosal cauterization and powered reduction of the inferior turbinates

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the results of powered turbinoplasty and to compare these with submucosal cauterization of the inferior turbinates. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, comparative surgical trial. METHODS: Nineteen patients with medication-resistant chronic nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy were randomized to undergo powered turbinoplasty on one side and submucosal cauterization on the other. For each side, an extensive assessment (symptom scoring, endoscopic scoring, and acoustic rhinometry) was recorded preoperatively and on week 1, week 3, month 3, year 1, and year 5 postoperatively. RESULTS: Powered turbinoplasty was superior to submucosal cauterization on all aspects of the assessment. A significant difference (P < .05) was noted for postoperative crusting, endoscopical scoring of turbinate size, and acoustic rhinometry measurements of nasal cavity volume and mean area at the level of the nasal valve. In addition, the results of powered turbinoplasty were still apparent on long term follow-up, whereas submucosal cauterization was associated with a recurrence of turbinate hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: Performing a powered turbinoplasty leads to decreased patient morbidity during the postoperative healing and to a better control of long-term results when compared with submucosal cauterization.     

下鼻甲神经分布研究

目的：通过尸头解剖明确下鼻甲神经分布情况,为选择性切断支配下鼻甲神经治疗变应性鼻炎提供解剖基础。方法：4％多聚甲醛固定成人尸头标本20例（40侧）,从正中矢状位锯开,在10倍手术显微镜下解剖下鼻甲。结果：①鼻后下神经在黏膜和骨膜之间下行由下鼻甲附着处末端前方6～13mm处进入下鼻甲黏膜下,另有分支通过下鼻甲附着处末端进入下鼻甲黏膜下。②筛前神经在下鼻甲附着处上缘距前端2．0～4．6mm进入下鼻甲黏膜下。结论：鼻内镜下选择性地切断支配下鼻甲的神经支配是可行的。     

Changes of nasal function after temperature-controlled radiofrequency tissue volume reduction for the turbinate

OBJECTIVES: Temperature-controlled and temperature-monitored radiofrequency tissue volume reduction (RFTVR) for the turbinate is a new treatment modality for nasal obstruction secondary to turbinate hypertrophy. We compared the nasal functions after the treatment ofRFTVR and laser vaporizing turbinoplasty (LVT) using subjective symptom scores and objective tests. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy were prospectively evaluated from March 1999 to October 1999 at Seoul National University Hospital (Seoul, Korea). Sixteen patients were treated with RFTVR, and eight patients with LVT. The preoperative and postoperative nasal functions were investigated by visual analogue scale of symptoms, butanol threshold test, saccharine test, acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry, and ciliary beat frequency. RESULTS: At 8 weeks postoperatively, the severity and the frequency of nasal obstruction improved subjectively in 81.3% and 93.8% of RFTVR group and in 87.5% and 87.5% of LVT group, respectively. Significant improvement of nasal symptoms began from 2 to 3 days after the operation in the RFTVR group, whereas there was significant improvement of nasal symptoms at 8 weeks after operation in the LVT group. However, objective nasal functions including nasal volume and total nasal resistance were significantly improved at 8 weeks after surgery in both groups. Among patients reporting symptoms of hyposmia, 55.6% of RFTVR group and 63.6% of LVT group showed improved olfaction. Saccharin transit time and ciliary beat frequency were preserved after RFTVR CONCLUSION: RFTVR for the turbinate may be useful as an alternative approach for the treatment of chronic turbinate hypertrophy.     

Tonsillectomy with argon plasma coagulation (APC): evaluation of pain and hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) offers a new possibility for tonsillectomy (TE) because of its effective hemostasis and limited penetration depth of the coagulation zone. The APC dissector allows dissection and hemostasis in a one-step procedure. The aim of this prospective, randomized, single-blinded study was the evaluation of pain and hemorrhage of the "hot" argon-plasma-coagulation tonsillectomy (TE(APC)) compared with a conventional "cold" non-electrosurgery tonsillectomy (TE(Conv)). METHODS: Two hundred one consecutive patients undergoing tonsillectomy were included in a single-blinded, randomized, prospective study with stratification in two age groups. RESULTS: There was no statistical significant difference between TE(APC) and TE(Conv) in the intensity of postoperative pain and primary or secondary hemorrhage in both age groups. In the TE(APC) group, the mean duration of tonsillectomy was significantly reduced by more than 50% in both age groups (P <.01). The blood loss was 90% decreased in the TE(APC) compared with the TE(Conv) in both age groups (P <.01). CONCLUSIONS: The APC technique does not face the general problem of electrosurgery or thermal coagulation techniques in which the postoperative pain is often increased compared with conventional cold techniques. It offers an innovative new tonsillectomy method with significant reduced blood loss and surgical time.     

游离下鼻甲黏膜修补鼻中隔穿孔

目的：探讨应用游离下鼻甲黏膜于鼻中隔黏膜夹层内缝合固定修补鼻中隔穿孔的效果。方法：用鼻中隔黏膜下矫正术的方法分离鼻中隔穿孔周围的黏软骨膜及骨膜，切取下鼻甲黏膜，将下鼻甲黏膜缝合固定于鼻中隔黏软骨膜及骨膜袋内，完全覆盖鼻中隔穿孔。结果：21例患者鼻中隔穿孔均修补成功，鼻中隔基本平直，双侧鼻腔通气良好。3～6个月后随访观察，鼻中隔未见穿孔。结论：自体下鼻甲黏膜取材方便，容易存活，可用于修补较大面积的鼻中隔穿孔；本文所用的缝合固定下鼻甲黏膜片的方法操作简单易行，移植物固定牢固，不易移位。     

下鼻甲肥大对功能性溢泪影响的分析

目的探讨下鼻甲肥大与功能性溢泪的关系及临床治疗价值。方法 11例下鼻甲肥大伴溢泪患者中,7例同时伴鼻中隔偏曲,术前完善检查,并利用CT泪囊造影术和三维重建,排除溢泪的眼部疾病,行下鼻甲减容术伴或不伴鼻中隔偏曲矫正术,观察疗效。术后随访12个月。结果 11例患者中8例(72.7%)溢泪症状消失,3例(27.3%)溢泪症状好转。7例患者术后鼻中隔均居中,下鼻甲明显缩小。其中鼻塞痊愈10例(90.9%),好转1例(9.1%)。结论下鼻甲肥大为功能性溢泪的一个重要的原因,对其进行治疗可治愈或改善功能性溢泪。     

Short-term effect of argon plasma coagulation of the inferior turbinate in patients with perennial nasal allergy

The aim of this study was to clarify the short-term effects of argon plasma coagulation (APC) of the inferior turbinate in patients with perennial nasal allergy. In a retrospective study, 32 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were treated by inferior turbinate reduction using APC. Grades of nasal stuffiness, rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal airflow resistance (NAR) and overall seriousness were evaluated before and then 1-4 and 8 weeks after APC. Subjective symptoms were assessed using a questionnaire in which nasal stuffiness, rhinorrhea and sneezing were graded on a four-point scale (severe, moderate, mild and none) using the Severity Criteria of Symptoms of Nasal Allergy issued by the Japanese Society of Allergology. NAR was measured using active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR) at the 100 Pa point; this was deemed to be an objective measurement of nasal obstruction. The numbers of patients examined before and 1-4 and 8 weeks after APC were 32, 31, 25, 17, 18 and 14, respectively. Both nasal stuffiness and NAR were significantly improved 2 weeks after APC, overall seriousness was significantly improved after 3 weeks and rhinorrhea was improved after 4 weeks. Sneezing did not significantly improve during this study. There was no significant change in the grades of the examined parameters during the period between 4 and 8 weeks after APC. The beneficial effects of APC begin to appear within 2 weeks after APC and no further improvement after about 4 weeks.     

Histopathology of the inferior turbinate with compensatory hypertrophy in patients with deviated nasal septum

OBJECTIVE: To measure the dimensions, composition, and possible structural and/or histopathological changes of the compensatory hypertrophic inferior turbinate in patients with deviated nasal septum. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, nonrandomized, and morphometric study. METHODS: Nineteen patients with deviated nasal septum and compensatory hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate in the contralateral nasal cavity underwent surgery for correction of nasal obstruction. Patients' specimens were compared with those of a control group consisting of 10 inferior turbinates removed at autopsy. Quantitative measurements of the inferior turbinate histological sections were carried out and included the width of the layers and morphometric calculations of the relative proportions of the soft tissue constituents. Also, qualitative study was performed to detect pathological changes. RESULTS: Of all layers, the inferior turbinate bone underwent a twofold increase in thickness and manifested the most significant expansion (P < or =.001), whereas the contribution of the mucosal layers to the inferior turbinate hypertrophy was modest. The morphometric analysis revealed a larger proportion of venous sinusoids in hypertrophic turbinates, but the difference was small and statistically insignificant. Qualitative assessment disclosed normal mucosal architecture in all inferior turbinates with compensatory hypertrophy. Eleven remained intact, while eight disclosed mild to moderate pathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: The data gathered in the present study are of importance to the decision-making process regarding turbinate surgery. The significant bone expansion and the relative minor role played by the mucosal hypertrophy would support the decision to excise the inferior turbinate bone at the time of septoplasty.     

Wound healing in the nose and paranasal sinuses after irradiation with the argon laser

Summary The wound healing of the mucous membrane of the nose was investigated in rabbits after irradiation with the argon laser. Immediately after application of the laser, a typical lesion showed a zonal appearance. Wound healing began after a delay of 6 days with the formation of granulation tissue. Re-epithelialization began from the margins of the wound and was characterized initially by metaplastic epithelium or squamous epithelium that was subsequently replaced by respiratory epithelium. In the subepithelial tissue plane, particularly following irradiation of the concha, a wider layer of connective tissue developed. The hyaline cartilage of the septum became necrotic over a large area which extended beyond the irradiated area, while the bone of the concha and the wall of the maxillary sinus was destroyed only at the site of the direct laser treatment.Dedicated to Professor Volker Becker, Erlangen, on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Mucosal changes in chronic hypertrophic rhinitis after surgical turbinate reduction

Chronic nasal obstruction owed to chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is one of the most common problems encountered in rhinology. Various forms of conservative therapy have been used, but these are often ineffective and surgical reduction techniques have been successfully applied. However, the issue of postoperative histological changes in the nasal mucosa has not been adequately addressed. The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the effect of the methods of submucosal monopolar diathermy, radiofrequency coblation and ultrasounds on the nasal mucosa. Sixty patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis of nonallergic etiology underwent different surgical methods of turbinate reduction, divided into two groups: (1) 30 patients underwent tissue volume reduction of the inferior nasal turbinates using ultrasound procedure on the left side and monopolar diathermy on the right; (2) 30 patients underwent radiofrequency coblation technique on the left side and ultrasound reduction on the right. We studied 20 preoperative specimens of the inferior turbinate mucosa taken randomly from both groups of patients, 5 from each side of each group. Normal nasal mucosal specimens taken from ten healthy persons were used as controls. Specimens of the inferior turbinate were taken after 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, from the same patients. All specimens were examined by electron microscopy. Preoperative observation revealed degeneration of epithelial cells, loss of cilia, disruption of intercellular connections, edema, nasal mucus overproduction and inflammatory infiltration in chorium. Postoperative observations revealed decrease of intercellular edema, reduction of mucus, overproduction of collagen and degeneration of the epithelium to flattened stratified. Only specimens after use of ultrasounds showed islands with normally organized epithelium of columnar ciliated cells. It may be concluded that epithelial changes owed to chronic hypertrophic rhinitis do not significantly improve postoperatively after turbinate tissue volume reduction. Only in several cases operated with ultrasounds, regeneration of epithelium occurs, resulting to anatomical and functional restoration of the nasal physiology.