Clinical evaluation of vidian neurectomy for nasal allergy

For the clinical evaluation of vidian neurectomy, questionnaires were sent to 250 cases operated on from 1971 to 1982, with answers obtained from 171. For sneezing, 56.8% of cases were evaluated markedly effective, 36.7% effective, 4.3% unchanged, and 2.2% aggravated. For rhinorrhea, markedly effective was 54.7%; effective, 39.4%; unchanged, 3.7%; aggravated, 2.2%. For nasal obstruction, markedly effective was 67.5%; effective, 27.4%; unchanged, 5.1%; and aggravated, 0%. On the other hand, 20% of cases complained of relapse of nasal allergic symptoms. Concerning the side effects, 28.7% of cases complained of cheek, upper lip, or palate numbness. Decrease of lacrimation was noted in 9.4% of cases. Several kinds of disturbances in the eye movement were observed in 4% of cases. Among them, 16 cases showed complete recovery within 24 h. In 3 cases, abducens paralysis continued for several months. Postoperative arterial bleeding occurred in one case. My recent strategy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis is conservative treatment at first, secondary nasal surgery such as septoplasty or turbinotomy, and at last vidian neurectomy if the patient agrees to be operated on after understanding the side effects.