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Posterior Nasal Nerve Combined with Anterior Ethmoid Neurotomy for Idiopathic Rhinitis

Assessment of the Effectiveness and Safety of Posterior Nasal Nerve Combined with Anterior Ethmoid Neurotomy in Patients with Idiopathic Rhinitis: a Multicentre, Randomised, Parallel-controlled Study

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06870292
Enrollment
150
Registered
2025-03-11
Start date
2025-03-01
Completion date
2026-12-30
Last updated
2025-03-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Idiopathic Rhinitis

Keywords

Idiopathic Rhinitis, posterior nasal nerve neurotomy, anterior ethmoid neurotomy, surgical treatment, neuroimmune

Brief summary

The present study was a randomised, parallel controlled, open-label, multicentre clinical study. The trial was divided into two groups, the posterior nasal nerve combined with anterior ethmoid neurotomy group (group A) and the conventional drug treatment group (group B). Patients with idiopathic rhinitis (IR) who met the inclusion criteria were included in a 7-day introductory period of nasal spray hormone (Budesonide nasal spray) treatment. Subjects with IR who met the randomization criteria after the introductory period were randomized 1:1 to either group A or group B for a 1-year treatment follow-up study. In group A, subjects will undergo the posterior nasal nerve combined with anterior ethmoid neurotomy. In group B, subjects will be treated with medication according to guideline recommendations when nasal-related symptoms occur. Oral antihistamines (Loratadine) or nasal antihistamines (Azelastine Hydrochloride) are preferred, and nasal hormones (Budesonide nasal spray), or a combination of two or three drugs, may be used in severe cases. Participants will be evaluated for safety and efficacy throughout the entire three-year period.

Interventions

PROCEDUREPosterior nasal nerve combined with anterior ethmoid neurotomy

First, a vertical incision was made in the posterior portion of the middle nasal turbinate. Dissection was performed along the bone to elevate the mucosal flap to expose the thick orbital process of the vertical plate of the palatine bone and the sphenopalatine foramen. The 3-4 mm of mucosal and submucosal neurovascular bundles surrounding the sphenopalatine foramen were subjected to full radiofrequency ablation, directly to the bone. The mucoperiosteal flap is reposited back. The bilateral nasal cavity was packed with Merocel nasal pack and hemostasis was achieved. The anterior ethmoidal nerves of the lateral nasal branch and septal branch of the nasal cavity were cut off with a plasma treatment needle. Below 30°, the mucous membrane of the posterior lateral wall of the nasal colliculus was cut down to the bone surface using the needle of the nasal endoscope plasma therapy instrument. The contralateral side was then treated in the same way, with an arc cut line and a length of 2cm.

DRUGDrug therapy group

Subjects will be treated with medication according to guideline recommendations when nasal-related symptoms occur. Oral antihistamines or nasal antihistamines are preferred, and nasal hormones (budesonide nasal spray), or a combination of two or three drugs, may be used in severe cases.

Sponsors

Xu Yu
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients signed the free and informed consent form and understood the explanation of the study. 2. patients with IR between 18 and 65 years and their body mass index (BMI) should be ≥19 kg/m2 and ≤24 kg/m2. 3. Patients diagnosed with idiopathic rhinitis (IR)that were defined as nonsmoking patients with at least 2 nasal complaints of nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, itching, and/or sneezing for more than 1 hour a day and for more than 1 year. 4. Patients with negative skin prick test (SPT) responses or sIgE 5. Nasal cytological exam with eosinophilia less than 20%. 6. Patients had a Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) of ≥6 and a subscore of nasal discharge ≥2 and a subscore of nasal congestion ≥1.

Exclusion criteria

1. Patients with colored secretions, inflammation,nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis, nasal tumours. 2. Patients with other chronic rhinitis such as occupational rhinitis, drug rhinitis, gustatory rhinitis, hormonal rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, etc. 3. Patients with anatomic nasal abnormalities responsible for nasal symptoms. 4. Patients with nasal/sinus surgery 3 months before the study. 5. Patients with severe mental illness. 6. Patients with uncontrolled asthma, systemic disorders or malignancies. 7. Patients with history of chronic smoking, substance abuse, drug use, and/or excessive alcohol consumption. 8. Patients in pregnancy or lactation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Combined symptom and medication score (CSMS)3rd postoperative monthsThe combined symptom and medication score (CSMS) is a validated composite metric widely used in clinical research and practice to holistically assess the severity and control of rhinitis. It integrates both subjective symptom burden and objective medication use into a single quantitative score.A questionnaire was used to evaluate the CSMS.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Combined symptom and medication score (CSMS)6th and 12th postoperative monthsThe combined symptom and medication score (CSMS) is a validated composite metric widely used in clinical research and practice to holistically assess the severity and control of rhinitis. It integrates both subjective symptom burden and objective medication use into a single quantitative score.A questionnaire was used to evaluate the CSMS.
Total nasal symptoms score (TNSS)3rd, 6th, and 12th postoperative monthsThe total nasal symptoms score (TNSS) is a patient-reported outcome tool widely utilized to quantify the severity of nasal symptoms in allergic rhinitis (AR) and other rhinologic conditions. It provides a standardized, composite assessment of key nasal symptoms including nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing, and nasal itching. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the TNSS.
Rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ)3rd, 6th, and 12th postoperative monthsThe Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) is a validated, patient-reported outcome measure specifically designed to assess the impact of rhinoconjunctivitis on patients' daily functioning and overall well-being. It incluges 28 items grouped into 7 domains: nasal symptoms, ocular symptoms, practical problems, activity limitations, emotional impact, sleep disturbances, general health perceptions.
Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT)3rd, 6th, and 12th postoperative monthsThe RCAT is a patient-reported assessment tool designed to evaluate the level of control over rhinitis symptoms, assisting clinicians in evaluating treatment efficacy and adjusting management strategies.It typically consists of six items assessing the frequency of symptoms (such as nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and sneezing) and their impact on daily life over the past week. For the RCAT, an internationally recognized questionnaire was used for measurement.
Substance P(SP)、Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide(VIP)、Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide(CGRP)、Neuropeptide Y(NPY)3rd, 6th, and 12th postoperative monthsNeuropeptide substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were measured in nasal secretions using ELISA.

Countries

China

Contacts

Primary ContactYu Xu
xuy@whu.edu.cn+8615927088198

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026