Turbinate reduction: what to expect

What are turbinates in the nose?

The turbinates are structures on the side wall of the inside of the nose. They project into the nasal passages as ridges of tissue. The turbinates help warm and moisturise air as it flows through the nose. The inferior turbinates can block nasal airflow when they are enlarged.

What causes enlarged turbinates?

Any chronic irritation or inflammation, caused by factors such as pollution, weather and temperature changes, stress, fatigue, medications and hormone changes from thyroid disorders and pregnancy, can lead to swelling of the turbinates. In patients with a septal deviation, we find a bigger nasal cavity on the concave and a smaller nasal cavity on the convex side of the deviation. This can lead to a compensatory hyperplasia of the inferior turbinate at the concave side of the septal deviation.

What is turbinate reduction surgery?

The goals of turbinate surgery are:

• Create more airspace - to reduce volume
• Maintain aerodynamic - maintains the configuration of turbinates
• Don´t destroy nasal function - maintains mucosa
• Minimal complications - no empty nose syndrome, no synechia, no bleeding.

This can be achieved by different techniques: 

• Change position turbinate (outfracture)
• Reduction via Resection (anterior turbinoplasty)
• Reduction via Heat (Direct or submucosally)
• Direct (Laser, Monopolar, Bipolar)

The decision which technique is used is made individually.
 

Is turbinate reduction permanent?

As we don't reset the turbinate in total to avoid unpleasant and difficult to treat complications, there is a risk of regrowth of the size of the turbinates to its original size. But it's always possible to redo the surgery. Large inferior turbinates can impair the nasal breathing and the quality of life but not having enough turbinate tissue leads to an empty nose syndrome with significant negative effect on the patient.

How long does it take to recover from turbinate reduction?

It depends on the techniques used. But with a strict post-op regime of a short-term use of decongestive nasal spray and an antibiotic ointment as well as a course of saline nasal douching for the first 6-8 weeks post surgery the healing process is smooth. The risk of bleeding and pain is minimal.

If you are in need of turbinate surgery book now for a consultation with one of our specialists.