ND-YAG LASER-SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of laser turbinectomy on local allergic inflammation by measuring the secretion of mediators (histamine, bradykinin, and TAME-esterase activity) in nasal lavage fluid after nasal provocation with different allergen concentrations. Our study included fifteen patients, aged fifteen to 35, who displayed perennial house-dust-mite rhinitis (positive prick test, RAST class > 2 and positive nasal provocation with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [D.p.] extract) and hypertrophic inferior turbinates. Rhinomanometry (Rhino-Test 441, Allergopharma, Reinbeck, Germany) and nasal provocation with D.p. extract (Allergopharma, Germany) followed by lavage were performed in all patients. The procedure was repeated three and twelve months after neodymium:YAG laser turbinectomy. Three and twelve months after laser turbinectomy, we found a significant improvement of nasal flow (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) and resistance (p < 0.01, p < 0.01) but no change of mediator levels in nasal lavage after allergen provocation, suggesting that laser turbinectomy has no effects on local allergic inflammation.