Anterior ethmoidal glycerol rhizotomy for vasomotor rhinitis.

The treatment of vasomotor rhinitis by anterior ethmoidal glycerol rhizotomy (AEGR) was assessed in 78 patients with a follow-up period ranging from 12 to 15 months. The reduction of nasal hypersecretion obtained with AEGR was maintained over six months. At the final assessment, sixty patients (76.9%) reported complete relief of symptoms and are taking no medications; seven (8.9%) were improved with minimal drug therapy required for symptom relief; and 11.9% had poor results with unsatisfactory control even with medication. Nineteen patients required a second treatment because of an initial suboptimal infection or recurrence. Apparently, this method offers those patients with vasomotor rhinitis a valid option for treatment of clinical symptoms, with the additional benefit of experiencing no serious complications when compared with vidian neurectomy.