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.