부산대학교 도서관

Rhinitis is a global disease. Based on its different pathogeneses, it is classified as allergic(AR) or non-allergic rhinitis(NAR). The prevalence of rhinitis in Taiwan has continued to increase over the past few decades. Although rhinitis is not lethal, it often significantly influences work efficiency, social activities, sleep quality, and school learning. It also imposes high socioeconomic costs.AR represents a global health problem affecting 10%-20% of the population. It is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory nasal condition with the hallmark symptoms of sneezing, nasal itching, mucus discharge, and nasal obstruction. Smell loss has been observed in patients with severe allergies. Drugs are the first-line treatment option for rhinitis; however, long-term medication inevitably leads to poor results and even drug resistance. A deviated nasal septum and hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate are common structural problems in patients with rhinitis, which can easily block the inferior meatus passage and ventilation, affect the clearance of mucociliary function, and aggravate swelling of the nasal mucosa. The major surgeries for rhinitis include septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction. The purpose of surgery is to remove or correct the deviated nasal septum, reduce the excessive hypertrophic volume of the inferior turbinates, and restore normal inferior meatus passage. In addition, for refractory rhinitis, vidian nerve or posterior nasal nerve block surgery can relieve the symptoms of nasal discharge and sneezing. This article reviews the relevant literature to provide clinicians with a clear understanding of the role of surgery in patients with rhinitis.