title: Outcome survey of therapy with diode laser in patients with allergic rhinitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the outcome of treatment of allergic rhinitis with a diode laser in the contact mode.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two newly diagnosed patients participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  After a follow-up of 1 year, we measured the result of treatment by an allergy outcome survey questionnaire in the 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year following the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven of 42 patients (64.3%) who replied filled out the questionnaire completely. The mean operation time took 1 minute, 28 seconds per patient, no nasal packing was necessary, and no complications were observed. Statistical analysis revealed significant improvement in the symptom score 1 year after laser surgery. The outcome of laser surgery declines with time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term results revealed that diode laser treatment of allergic rhinitis is a useful procedure that can be performed as outpatient surgery under local anesthesia. The short operation time and less discomfort provide other reasons for choosing this treatment for allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yao-Lung
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Chuang-Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hong-Shen
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mu-Kuan
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D040001:Dermatophagoides farinae / Q000276:immunology; D040002:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E