Two-Year Clinical Outcomes After Multipoint Impedance-Controlled Radiofrequency Ablation of the Posterior Nasal Nerve for Treatment of Chronic Rhinitis

Objective: A person’s quality of life can be deeply impacted by chronic rhinitis. We report 2-year outcomes in patients after treatment using a novel, multipoint, impedance-controlled, radiofrequency ablation device. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical study of posterior nasal nerve ablation in adults with chronic rhinitis. Efficacy assessments included the reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS), postnasal drip, cough, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7), nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE), and mini-Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini-RQLQ). Results: Seventy-five of 80 (94%) participants completed 2-year follow-up. Statistically significant improvements were observed in rhinitis symptoms, postnasal drip, cough, ear symptoms, and quality of life as evidenced by the mean change in rTNSS (−4.3), postnasal drip (−0.9), cough (−0.7), ETDQ-7 (−1.1), NOSE (−31.7), and mini-RQLQ (−1.7; P < .0001 for all). Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis subgroups demonstrated similar, significant improvement. No serious related adverse events were reported between the 9-month and 2-year follow-ups. Conclusions: The data demonstrate consistent long-term efficacy and safety of a multipoint, impedance-controlled, radiofrequency ablation device for the treatment of chronic rhinitis. Significant improvements were observed in rhinitis symptoms, postnasal drip, cough, ear symptoms, and quality of life through 2-year follow-up. Study Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier NCT05591989.