Outcome assessment in patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis CO2 laser treated.

Surgical lasers have been used to restore nasal flow in chronic obstructive rhinitis, with a significant improvement in symptoms having been reported in almost all cases. However, evidence supporting the efficacy at long-term, and studies on the assessment of quality of life remain limited. In the present study, efficacy at long term and improvement in the quality of life were assessed in patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis, treated with CO2 laser. A total of 308 patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis were enrolled. The primary outcome measure assessed was the change in score regarding specific and general symptoms, between baseline to 2-4.5 and 7.8 mean years follow-up. Laser turbinotomy restored nasal flow and induced a change in total score which was statistically significant, for specific and general symptoms at the first, second and third follow-up, p < 0.01. CO2 laser turbinate surgery improved symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis as observed at 2-4.5 and 7.8 mean years follow-up.