Bilateral transnasal cauterization of the vidian nerve in vasomotor rhinitis

Antegrade transsphenoidal vidian neurectomy: short-term surgical outcome analysis

BACKGROUND

Vidian neurectomy was an option for treating allergic rhinitis in the past but outcomes varied. A modified transsphenoidal approach is proposed to simplify endoscopic vidian neurectomy. The postoperative evaluation of rhinorrhea, sneezing, and recurrence was investigated.

METHODS

A total of 317 patients with refractory allergic rhinitis underwent 414 transsphenoidal vidian neurectomies from September 2006 to December 2010. A rigid nasal endoscope was used through a transsphenoidal approach to reach the vidian canal inside the sphenoid sinus (type I) or through its anterior opening into the pterygopalatine fossa (type II) and to cut or cauterize the vidian nerve. The surgical outcomes were analyzed for patients with at least 6 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Our approach was successful in 90.3% of the 414 vidian neurectomies. Vidian neurectomy was successful via the type I approach in 27 sides and type II approach in 347 sides. The short-term surgical outcomes of 163 patients who underwent a total of 236 vidian neurectomies with at least 6 months of follow-up were analyzed. Immediate, complete cessation of sneezing and rhinorrhea occurred uniformly. Three recurrences were detected during the 1-2 years of follow-up. The symptom of dry eye was reported for 172 surgical sides, but only 6 had persistent symptoms for >6 months.

CONCLUSION

The transsphenoidal approach in a vidian neurectomy is a simple method that removes the need for sphenopalatine artery ligation and causes less surgical morbidity. However, the possibility of recurrence of this condition in the long term needs further investigation.

Bilateral transnasal vidian neurectomy in the management of chronic rhinitis

Bilateral transnasal vidian neurectomy was performed on 276 patients between 1983 and 1991. The indications for operation were intractable vasomotor rhinitis, resistant allergic rhinitis and recurrent nasal polyposis. Two hundred and fifty-eight patients were contacted and long-term results showed that 88 per cent of the patients had an excellent result.

Endoscopic surgery of the vidian nerve. Preliminary report

The anatomy, surgical technique, and difficulties of endoscopic vidian neurectomy are described. The procedure was carried out on 12 patients: 8 had resistant secretomotor rhinopathy and 4 had recurrent nasal polyposis. This technique is a minor surgical procedure with symptomatic relief and minimal postoperative morbidity.

Is vidian neurectomy worthwhile?

Vasomotor rhinitis is a frustrating experience both for the consultant and for the patient. The purpose of vidian neurectomy is to destroy the secretomotor nerve supply to the nasal mucosa, the main indication being severe intractable non-atopic vasomotor rhinitis. A review of 208 cases which have undergone transnasal vidian neurectomy by diathermy coagulation in the last five years is presented. The operation has proved worthwhile, the patients remaining symptom-free in 92 per cent of cases (longest follow-up 5 years). There have been no complications.

Transnasal preganglionic vidian nerve section

Vidian neurectomy is a useful procedure in relieving the symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis. However, the nerve is difficult to approach because of its deep location in the pterygopalatine fossa. A direct transnasal approach to the pterygopalatine fossa, passing through the sphenopalatine foramen in the lateral wall of the nose, is described and its merits are discussed. We have operated upon 247 cases by this approach over the past four years without any significant complications.