The Efficacy of Diode Laser Turbinoplasty in Reducing Nasal Obstruction and Sneezing in Medically Refractory Allergic Rhinitis: A Retrospective Study of 40 Patients

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis can cause persistent nasal blockage and bouts of sneezing even when patients receive appropriate medication. Diode laser turbinoplasty could also be an alternative treatment option to patients whose symptoms are still troublesome. The current study evaluated the effects of nasal obstruction and sneezing after diode laser turbinoplasty using 980-nm laser light in the medically refractory cases of allergic patients. Methods: We included 40 patients with medically refractory allergic rhinitis who had undergone turbino-plasty by the diode laser of 980 nm at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chaudhary Muhammad Akram Teaching Hospital, Lahore, between the period of January 2026 and June 2026. The procedure were performed under local anesthesia in the outpatient department. The nasal obstruction and sneezing were rated with a 10-option, visual analogue scale (VAS) at the preoperative period and in the postoperative period. The statistical significance was predetermined as p<0.05. Results: The age of the patients was 31.4±7.2 years; 55% of them were male. The mean operating time was 14.50 +/- 2.80 minutes. Naresal obstruction score decreased by 72.1 percent (means of 8.25 and 3.80 respectively) of baseline to one week and three months, respectively. The mean sneezing score fell from 7.40±1.10 to 4.10±0.90 at one week and 2.85±1.00 at three months, a 61.5% reduction. The changes that were reported were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Lower scores of nasal obstructions and sneezing by 980-nm diode laser turbinoplasty at three months follow-up were observed in this cohort of 40 patients. The trial can be taken into consideration among some patients whose medical treatment does not help with symptoms. Since it was a small retrospective study and did not utilize a control group, prospective studies with longer follow-up are necessary to determine the extent and sustainability of the benefit.