The clinical effects of CO2 laser surgery in children with allergic rhinitis have been reported by few authors, so our objective is to clarify the background of such cases and the clinical effects of CO2 laser surgery. Subjects were 26 patients aged 7 to 12 years unable to attain sufficient results with conservative treatments, e. g., antiallergic drugs or allergen-specific immunotherapy. All have a positive immunological reaction to house dust and mite allergen, and 31% had pollenosis. CO2 laser surgery was administered to bilateral nasal mucosa of the inferior turbinates at the outpatient clinic under local anesthesia. Symptom scores before laser surgery and improvement after surgery were measured based on practical guidelines for the management of allergic rhinitis in Japan. About 80% of patients suffered from nasal obstruction before surgery, thought to be peculiar in allergic children. Two months after CO2 laser surgery, 65.4% (17 patients) had excellent or satisfactory results, and 15 responded to conservative treatment. The symptom score for nasal obstruction decreased well after the surgery. Treatment for pediatric allergic rhinitis tends to be prolonged. Viewed from release from conservative therapies, treatment using CO2 laser is significant in those cases. Unfortunately, the remaining 2 patients with severe allergic rhinitis had no satisfactory result. If CO2 laser surgery does not alleviate symptoms such as severe allergic rhinitis, it still may provide benefits in treatment.
