Before-surgery guide
Getting Ready for RhinAer
Quick answer: RhinAer treats nerves at the back of the nose that drive a chronic runny nose and congestion. It is done in our office under local anesthesia or sedation, using a small probe placed at the back of the nose. If no other procedure is done, most people go back to work the same day after local anesthesia, or the next day after sedation. Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting and flying for 1 week.
How is the procedure done?
- Allergies and other irritants can overstimulate the nerves at the back of the nose, which causes inflammation, a runny nose and congestion.
- When medicine has not helped enough, a minimally invasive procedure aims to make these nerves less sensitive.
- RhinAer uses low-temperature radiofrequency energy, with the goal of calming the overactive nerves inside the nose that cause your symptoms.
- It is done in our office under local anesthesia or sedation. A small probe is placed at the back of the nose to treat the posterior nasal nerves.
- How well it works: In studies, about 3 in 4 people had a meaningful improvement by 3 months, rising to about 4 in 5 later on, and the improvement was still seen in people followed for 3 years. Results vary from person to person, and study numbers cannot predict your own result.
- If the septum is in the way: a bent septum (the wall between the two sides of the nose) can leave too little room to reach the back of the nose. Sometimes a balloon septoplasty (the TRACT system) is done at the same time to make room: a balloon is placed in the nose and gently inflated to reshape the septum, with no incisions and no cartilage or bone removed. It is done under the same local anesthesia or sedation.
Our RhinAer page explains who the procedure helps.
What are the risks?
Every procedure has risks. We will go over them with you, and you can ask about any of them.
- Pain, bleeding and infection are risks of any procedure.
- Nosebleed. A small amount of bleeding is normal, but there is a small risk of a severe nosebleed that may need cautery or packing to stop.
- Results vary. Symptoms may not improve enough, or the improvement may not last.
How do I get ready?
-
Before the procedure
- Give us a list of every medicine, vitamin and supplement you take.
- If you take aspirin or a blood thinner, tell us. Do not stop it on your own; we will tell you whether you need to.
-
Eating and drinking
- You can eat and drink as usual on the day of the procedure, unless you are having sedation.
- If you are having sedation: follow the eating and drinking instructions we give you exactly, and arrange for an adult to drive you home.
-
The day of the procedure
- Bring your photo ID, insurance card and list of medicines.
What should I have at home?
- Saline nasal spray (any plain saltwater spray)
- Afrin (oxymetazoline) nasal spray, for bleeding and congestion. Use it only as directed, for no more than 3 to 5 days
- Gauze pads and paper tape, to make a drip pad under your nose
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), unless your surgeon told you not to take ibuprofen
What happens after the procedure?
- Some bleeding from the nose for 1 to 2 days is normal. Call us if bleeding is heavy or does not stop.
- If no other procedure is done, most people go back to work the same day after local anesthesia, or the next day after sedation.
- Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting and flying for 1 week.
- If a balloon septoplasty was also done, no hard nose blowing for 1 week, and use saline spray as directed.
- Your follow-up visit is about 1 week after the procedure.
The RhinAer Recovery Guide has everything you need after the procedure, including when to call us.
When should I call before surgery?
Call us for
- You get sick in the days before the procedure
- You start a new medicine, or a doctor changes your blood thinner
- You have questions about the procedure or its risks, or you need to reschedule
Austin 512-339-4040 · Lakeway 512-682-4798 · Marble Falls 830-992-2830
Questions patients ask
RhinAer is done in our office under local anesthesia or sedation. We will talk with you about which is right for you.
If no other procedure is done, most people go back the same day after local anesthesia, or the next day after sedation.
We recommend not flying for 1 week.
In studies, about 3 in 4 people had a meaningful improvement by 3 months, rising to about 4 in 5 later on, and the improvement was still seen in people followed for 3 years. Results vary from person to person, and study numbers cannot predict your own result.
This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace an in-person evaluation. If your surgeon gave you different instructions, follow theirs.
Sources
- Lee JT, Abbas GM, Charous DD, et al. Clinical and quality of life outcomes following temperature-controlled radiofrequency neurolysis of the posterior nasal nerve (RhinAer) for treatment of chronic rhinitis. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy. 2022;36(6):747-754. PubMed
- Lee JT, Abbas GM, Charous DD, et al. Three-year outcomes after temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation of the posterior nasal nerve for chronic rhinitis. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy. 2025;39(6):398-409. PubMed
- Jamileh E, Muhammad F, Xamza M, et al. Radiofrequency neurolysis of the posterior nasal nerve: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Laryngoscope. 2026. PubMed