Endoscopic unilateral Vidian neurectomy for allergic rhinitis: techniques and efficacy

Introduction:

The management of allergic rhinitis involves surgical intervention in some cases refractory to routine medications..

Methods:

24 candidates were enrolled into the study with a clear diagnosis and moderate to severe AR.5 sufferers complicated with asthma. Vidian nuerectomy was performed under general anesthesia on only one side. Briefly, a transnasal endoscopic sphenoidectomy through sphenoethmoidal recess was done first, followed by enlargement of the sinus ostium. The last procedure was further exposure of the vidian canal. Data from 24 patients with a three-year long follow-up was statistically analyzed with comparison of means between multiple groups.

Results:

100% location and 100% exposure of the Vidian canal was confirmed both through endoscopic maneuver and pre-/post-CT images. At the end of the three-year follow-up, there was no significant difference by the paired T test (P> 0.05) between the two sides in terms of total symptom scores and nasal symptoms by VAS. Analysis of variance with comparison of means between multiple groups based on the data collected preoperatively and postoperatively at one year, two year and three year showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

The "three-step" endoscopic resection of the VN is a simple method for most surgeons. The unilateral VN is a safe and effective technique in the management of moderate to severe allergic rhinitis, and unilateral surgery could relieve bilateral nasal symptoms.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)