Result of Individual Studies
Outcome measures used and results are shown in Table 2. In one
study(12), the outcome measure used was not specified – 94 of their
cohort of 1056 patients were sent a questionnaire 2 years following the
procedure but no further detail was provided. The authors of this study
reported an 80% efficacy rate after 2 years.
The RCT(15) comparing PNN with medical treatment (corticosteroids and
antihistamines for 3 months) utilised the RQLQ, a VAS for pain, and the
Schirmer’s test before and after the intervention (at 1, 3, 6 and 12
months). RQLQ scores were significantly better in the PNN group at 1, 3,
6, and 12 months following surgery when compared to the control group.
There was no significant difference in the Schirmer’s test outcome in
either group before and after treatment. They also reported a
significant improvement in pain (the site and type of pain was not
specified) in the PNN group at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
The second RCT(16) compared a group undergoing PNN combined with
pharyngeal neurectomy with a control group undergoing PNN only. The
authors reported a significant improvement in RQLQ and VAS scores up to
24 months post intervention in both groups with no significant
difference between them.
Suzuki et al(17) analysed outcomes in patients undergoing turbinoplasty
with and without PNN. They found a significant reduction in sneezing and
rhinorrhoea and olfactometry after turbinate reduction with PNN that was
not seen in the turbinate reduction group. Albu et al(18) undertook a
similar study in patients with severe inferior turbinate hypertrophy
comparing outcomes after turbinate reduction with and without PNN.
Subjective and objective outcome parameters suggested improvement in
both study groups with no differences between the two.
In the case series analysis, three papers(23,24,26) studied PNN as a
single intervention and found a significant improvement in patient
reported symptoms (SNOT-22, RQLQ, and individual nasal symptom
scores)with follow-up ranging from 6 to 12 months.
The other case series(9,13,18,20-21,27-28) looked at outcomes of PNN
with turbinate reduction and/or septoplasty. They all reported
significant subjective improvements in rhinitis symptoms and quality of
life (when this was assessed). In this group only Ikeda et al.(19)
studied objective measures and found significant improvement in
rhinomanometry and nasal provocation following surgery.