PATIENT-REPORTED IMPROVEMENT IN FACIAL SKIN APPEARANCE FOLLOWING SUBMUCOSAL DIATHERMY IN PATIENTS WITH ALLERGIC RHINITIS - A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background:-Allergic rhinitis(AR) is a common chronic inflammatory disorder of the upper respiratory tract characterized by symptoms such as sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal itching and nasal obstruction. In patients with long-standing nasal allergy, particularly those with chronic nasal obstruction and mouth breathing, characteristic facial features collectively referred to as allergic facies may develop. These include allergic shiners, Dennie Morgan folds, transverse nasal crease, allergic salute,open-mouth breathing,high-arched palate or dental malocclusion, and changes in the upper lip and columella. Submucosal diathermy (SMD) is a commonly performed turbinate-reduction procedure intended primarily to improve nasal airflow. Although functional improvement following turbinate surgery has been extensively assessed, patient-perceived changes in facial appearance following improvement in nasal breathing have received relatively little attention. Aim:-To prospectively assess patient-reported improvement in facial appearance and nasal symptoms following submucosal diathermy in patients with allergic rhinitis and to explore the relationship between improvement in nasal obstruction, sleep quality and perceived facial appearance.