Long-term outcome of concurrent coblator turbinoplasty with adenotonsillectomy in children with allergic rhinitis

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in children. Patients with AR tend to have more persistent symptoms after adenotonsillectomy (T&A). Objectives This study was aimed to evaluate the outcome of additional concurrent coblation-assisted turbinoplasty with adenotonsillectomy (T&A + T) in patients with AR. Material and Methods This study included 104 children who underwent T&A, and 67 who underwent T&A + T. All patients were diagnosed as AR and were aged < 12 years at the time of surgery. Symptoms (snoring, mouth breathing, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, itching, and sneezing) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively via a questionnaire and a telephone survey. Results None of the six symptoms investigated differed significantly between the two groups preoperatively, and all evaluated symptoms exhibited dramatic improvements after the surgery in both groups. The T&A + T group showed significantly greater difference of improvement in mouth breathing and nasal obstruction than T&A group. There were no significant difference of improvements in snoring, rhinorrhea, itching and sneezing postoperatively between two groups. In multiple regression analysis, postoperative obstructive symptoms including mouth breathing and nasal obstruction were significantly associated with concurrent turbinoplasty. Conclusion Concurrent turbinoplasty should be considered especially in patients who have AR and adenotonsillar hypertrophy to improve obstructive symptoms.

Automated summary

The study found that concurrent turbinoplasty during adenotonsillectomy can significantly improve obstructive symptoms such as mouth breathing and nasal obstruction in children with allergic rhinitis.