The Effect of Early Radiofrequency Turbinate Reduction on Persistent Allergic Rhinitis

Before the radiofrequency turbinate reduction procedure, local anaesthesia will be given by applying a cotton tamponade soaked in lidocaine adrenaline 1:5000 titration and added with xylocaine gel for 10 minutes in both nostrils. Then, a mixture of 1 mL of lidocaine 2% and 2 mL of sodium chloride 0,9% will be infiltrated to both nostrils using 3 mL and 1 mL needles until the inferior turbinates are pale. The radiofrequency probe (made by Sutter, both in monopolar and bipolar modes) will be inserted to the distal inferior turbinate until the black line from the probe is inside the inferior turbinate (approximately 10-12 mm). The procedure will be done for 10 seconds and the insertion of the probe can be done in 2-3 sites. After this, subjects from this group will be treated with pharmacology treatment using intranasal steroid and AH-1 according to ARIA WHO guideline 2008, similar to the pharmacology treatment received by the control group.

Subjects will be treated with intranasal steroid and AH-1 according to ARIA WHO guideline 2008. Fluticasone furoate will be given twice a day with two sprays (100 µg) for each nostril for 2 weeks, then continue for once a day with two sprays (100 µg). Antihistamine H-1 is given 10 mg, once a day. Pharmacology treatment is given for 4 weeks, then intranasal steroid will be continued for another 4 weeks.