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Scientific Oral Presentation

Rhinology/Allergy

Long-term Effectiveness of Posterior Nasal Nerve Temperature-controlled Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Rhinitis: A Meta-analysis

Monday, October 19, 2026
1:12 PM - 1:18 PM PT
Location: Theatre 411

    Presenting Author(s)

  • JP

    Jaime Plane, MD

    Otolaryngology Resident
    Department of Otolaryngology, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile
    Santiago, Region Metropolitana, Chile

    • Co-Author(s)

  • MB

    María Victoria Binder, MD

    Otolaryngology Resident
    Department of Otolaryngology, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile
    Santiago, Region Metropolitana, Chile

  • TC

    Thamiris D.D Cabral, MD

    Research Fellow
    Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
    Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • VM

    Valentina Metcalfe, MD

    Otolaryngology Resident
    Department of Otolaryngology, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile, Region Metropolitana, Chile

  • CG

    Claudia González, MD

    Associate Professor
    Department of Otolaryngology, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile, Region Metropolitana, Chile

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Ximena Maul, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Otolaryngology, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile
    Santiago, United States

Disclosure(s):
Thamiris D.D. D.D Cabral, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Chronic rhinitis (CR) is highly prevalent, causes persistent nasal symptoms and impaired quality of life, and a substantial proportion of patients remain symptomatic despite standard medical therapy. Temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation (TCRF) targeting the posterior nasal nerve has shown short-term benefit, but long-term durability remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the long-term efficacy of posterior nasal nerve TCRF in CR.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies of TCRF in CR with ≥12 months of follow-up. Outcomes included reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score (rTNSS), postnasal drip and cough severity, responder rate, and mini–Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini-RQLQ).

Results: Four studies (301 patients) were included. Responder rates remained stable at 12, 24, and 36 months (83% [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 78–88%], n=252; 83% [95% CI 77–89%], n=218; and 81% [95% CI 75–87%], n=160). Sustained improvements in nasal symptoms were observed, with pooled reductions in rTNSS at 12, 24, and 36 months (Mean Difference (MD) −5.05 [95% CI −5.45 to −4.66], n=274, p<.00001; MD −4.98 [95% CI −5.57 to −4.39], n=220, p<.00001; and MD −4.62 [95% CI −5.10 to −4.15], n=160, p<.00001). Postnasal drip and cough severity improved in a similar trend. Quality of life improved consistently, reflected by pooled decreases in mini-RQLQ at 12, 24, and 36 months (MD −1.84 [95% CI −2.04 to −1.64], n=207; MD −1.75 [95% CI −2.02 to −1.48], n=186; and MD −1.77 [95% CI −2.00 to −1.54], n=160). The pooled proportion achieving the mini-RQLQ minimally clinically important difference (MCID) was 86% (n=184), 79% (n=206), and 80% (n=160) at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively.

Conclusions: Temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation provides sustained clinical benefit in chronic rhinitis, with persistent improvements in nasal symptoms and quality of life through long-term follow-up. Larger studies, including randomized controlled trials, are needed to confirm these findings.