The effectiveness of adjuvant sublingual immunotherapy following septomeatoplasty

A recent study showed that sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has the potential to be an optimal  adjuvant therapy post-septomeatoplasty (SMP) for individuals suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR). This study’s findings were published in The Laryngoscope.

This study included 96 patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis caused by dust mites, in addition to concurrent septal deviation and hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate. All patients underwent surgical intervention (SMP). Subsequently, the patients were divided into two groups: the control group (n=44), who underwent surgery alone, and the SMP+SLIT group (n=52), who were given SLIT as an adjuvant therapy. The results of the rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT) and the demographic data were analyzed.

No significant differences were noted in any of the variables between the two groups before and 1^st month after surgery. However, at the 3^rd and 6^th  month assessments, the SMP + SLIT group demonstrated a significant enhancement in the total RCAT scores in comparison to the SMP only group (28.6 ± 1.56 versus 24.5 ± 3.66, p < 0.001, 27.1 ± 2.87 versus 19.9 ± 5.56, p < 0.001). Additionally, superior control of all RCAT sub-categories was noted in the SMP + SLIT group during the 3^rd  and 6^th month evaluations.

In conclusion, SLIT could potentially function as a beneficial adjuvant treatment following SMP for individuals suffering from AR.