Argon plasma coagulation for intractable nasal obstruction occurring in patients with allergic rhinitis.

New surgical treatment for the intractable nasal obstruction in patients with nasal allergy by using Argon Plasma Coagulator (APC) was introduced. Of patients with allergic rhinitis treated at our institute, 28 patients complaining nasal obstruction were treated APC surgery. Epithelization of the mucosa of inferior turbinate was almost completely accomplished at 4 weeks after surgery, at which time mucosal swelling was reduced, and nasal obstruction was ameliorated in all cases, though a crust and fibrin membrane adhered to the mucosa between 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, resulting in temporary exacerbation of nasal obstruction. Nasal obstruction was again aggravated in only one patient about 6 months after surgery, but such symptom could be ameliorated by re-coagulation. No bleeding and no smoke occurred in the operation. No morbidity was also noticed after operation. APC is easy to perform safely and effectively compared with another laser surgeries, and is useful for intractable nasal obstruction occurring in patients with allergic rhinitis.