Laser surgery for allergic rhinitis.

Using specially designed handpieces, we vaporized with a defocused CO2 laser beam the inferior turbinates of 150 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis refractory to nonsurgical treatment. A CO2 laser was used with the assumption that the allergic reaction could be inhibited by causing scar tissue formation in the superficial layer of the submucosa of the inferior turbinate where the allergic reaction is considered to occur. Of the 150 patients, 141 showed subjective improvement one month after laser surgery. Of the 40 patients who were followed for more than one year, 34 had good results. Hypersensitivity of the nasal mucosa in response to provocative nasal testing and the number of eosinophils in the nasal smear were both decreased one year after laser surgery. Histopathologically, the superficial layer of the submucosa of the inferior turbinate was occupied by fibrous tissue after laser surgery. Laser surgery is an easy, safe and effective treatment for perennial allergic rhinitis, especially in children.