title: Sphenopalatine artery ligation with nerve resection in patients with vasomotor rhinitis and polyposis: a prospective, randomized, double-blind investigation.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Sphenopalatine artery ligation relieves symptoms of rhinorrhea, sneezing, and nasal itching in patients with vasomotor rhinitis associated with nasal polyps.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Nasal polyps often arise in a setting of vasomotor rhinitis. Dysfunctions in nerve fiber activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are responsible for the accompanying symptoms of rhinorrhea, sneezing, and nasal itching. Sphenopalatine pedicle resection with autonomic denervation could potentially reduce related symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective, double-blind setting, 60 patients with vasomotor rhinitis and bilateral nasal polyps randomly assigned to functional endoscopic surgery either with (group A) or without (group B) sphenopalatine artery ligation completed a 3-year follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative (at 1 and 3 years) evaluations included symptom score, fiberendoscopy, and active anterior rhinomanometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both treatment groups nasal breathing had improved at 1-year and 3-year follow-up (p < 0.001), whereas an improvement in rhinorrhea (p < 0.001) and sneezing and itching (p < 0.01) was attained only in group A. The inter-group comparison showed that a statistically significant improvement in rhinorrhea and nasal itching (p = 0.002) and in sneezing (p < 0.001) was present in group A at both follow-up visits. Rhinomanometry improved in both treatment groups (p < 0.01). Inter-group comparison showed a significant difference only at the 3-year follow-up visit (p < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Foggia, Italy. m.cassano@unifg.it
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cassano
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marioni
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cassano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010159:Palate / Q000098:blood supply*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012223:Rhinitis, Vasomotor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000098:blood supply*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult