Radiofrequency ablation of turbinates after septoplasty has no effect on allergic rhinitis symptoms other than nasal obstruction

Background In this study we evaluated the effects of inferior turbinate radiofrequency ablation (RFA), performed after septoplasty, on patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms. Methods This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study involving 60 patients with both a deviated nasal septum (DNS) and AR. Those who underwent septoplasty/sham surgery constituted the Septo‐Sham group and those who underwent septoplasty/RFA formed the Septo‐RFA group. Demographic factors, pre‐ and postoperative symptom scores for allergic rhinitis (SFARs), and Nasal Obstruction and Septoplasty Effectiveness Scale (NOSE) scores were calculated. We subdivided the total SFAR (tSFAR) scores into scores for nasal obstruction (SFAR‐NO) and scores for symptoms other than nasal obstruction (SFAR‐SONO); the latter included rhinorrhea, itching, and sneezing. Results The baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The 2 types of surgery improved both the NOSE and SFAR scores. In subgroup analysis according to the type of symptoms, both types of surgery showed improvement in SFAR‐NO and SFAR‐SONO scores. However, the extent of improvement did not differ between the groups, regardless of the type of symptoms. Conclusion For patients with both DNS and AR, both types of surgery afford postoperative symptomatic improvement. Both types of surgery yielded improvement in both nasal obstruction and symptoms other than nasal obstruction. However, performing RFA after septoplasty did not afford further short‐term symptomatic improvements. Thus, septoplasty without RFA may be optimal for patients with both DNS and AR.