title: Surgical options for the allergic rhinitis patient.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Allergic rhinitis is a very common disorder that affects millions of patients annually and the hallmark complaint of nasal obstruction significantly impacts the quality of life. Many surgical options exist for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, directed primarily at the underlying nasal obstructive component. The purpose of this review is to highlight and discuss the various surgical modalities and their historical efficacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Much of the literature has focused on reduction of the inferior turbinate for symptomatic improvement in patients afflicted with allergic rhinitis. Endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty play little role in the management of allergic rhinitis, unless when seen in conjunction with other conditions such as rhinosinusitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although no single modality has evolved as the gold standard for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, the mainstay of surgical intervention targets the inferior turbinate. It is very important for the otolaryngologist to be familiar with an armamentarium of surgical techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Nipun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chhabra
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Houser
mesh_terms: D017776:Autonomic Pathways / Q000601:surgery; D003646:Debridement; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008866:Microsurgery; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery