There are three turbinates on the sides of both nasal cavities (nostrils). They are called superior, middle, and inferior turbinates. Turbinates are made of bone and are covered by a soft tissue known as “mucosa.” They help regulate airflow and temperature of the air entering the nose and moisture levels inhaled through the nose.
Turbinates can become swollen, enlarged, or displaced, causing nose block and breathing difficulty. Turbinate reduction or turbinoplasty is indicated in such cases if medical therapy fails. Following turbinate reduction, most people can return to work in about a week and go to their usual pre-operative routine in about 3 weeks. Complete recovery can take 1-2 months.
Why is turbinate reduction done?
Turbinates can become swollen, enlarged, or displaced due to various reasons. Problems associated with turbinates may go away on their own or with medical treatment. In some cases, if medical treatment fails, surgical turbinate reduction is indicated.
Some common causes of turbinate enlargement include:
What happens during the procedure?
The procedure is performed by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon under general or local anesthesia. Several techniques are used to reduce the size of turbinates. They are all performed inside the nose, and some are less invasive than others.
Cauterization, coblation, and radiofrequency turbinate reduction: Turbinates are shrunk without removing any underlying bone or tissue. A specialized needle-like device is inserted into turbinates. Turbinates are heated through the needle using a heat source or energy waves. This causes scar tissue to form, shrinking the turbinate. The procedure takes around 12-20 minutes and can be performed under local anesthesia. Patients can go home after the surgery and return to their normal activities. Pain and swelling associated with the procedure may be present, but this resolves in a few days.
Surgical turbinate removal: This procedure is more invasive but performed inside the nose, without any external visible cuts. It is usually performed under general anesthesia. It may be combined with nasal septum or sinus surgery. In some cases, only parts of the turbinates are surgically removed. During surgical reduction, the surgeon cuts into turbinates to remove some of the bone underneath to reduce their size. Some of the tissue around turbinates may be shaved away as well.
After surgery: Most patients can go home the same day or day after the surgery. The nose may be packed and dressed for up to 48 hours. Patients may experience swelling, bruising, crusting, and blood-stained nasal discharge after the surgery, which usually resolves in a week. Painkillers, antibiotics, and nasal and oral decongestants may be prescribed. Most patients can return to work in about a week and go to their usual pre-operative routine in about 3 weeks. Complete recovery can take 1-2 months if septal and/or sinus surgery are also performed.
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerWhat are the risks of turbinate reduction?
Turbinate reduction surgery is routinely performed. Complications are rare and usually temporary. Some possible risks associated with the procedure include:
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Irritation
- Nasal discharge
- Crusting in the nose
- Dryness in the nose
- Infection
- Adhesions
- Recurrence of the problem (turbinate tissue may regrow after the surgery) requiring further treatment
Empty nose syndrome: This is an extremely rare complication that can sometimes occur after the surgery in the nose if too much bone and tissue are removed. The nasal cavity becomes wide open and roomy. It is characterized by a dry nose, nasal discharge, crusting, nose bleeds, headache, and a feeling that the nose is blocked, despite the nasal cavity being wide. There is no definitive cure for this condition. Treatment mainly involves providing symptomatic relief.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043181009000827
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3199827/
Top How long does it take to recover from turbinate re Related Articles
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
How Are Nasal Polyps Removed?
The surgical removal of nasal polyps is known as nasal polypectomy. The procedure is mainly performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The physician relieves congestion of the nose using oxymetazoline drops or pellets. The polyps are removed with the help of polyp forceps without injuring the surrounding tissue.
Nasal Irrigation
Clogged sinuses and congestion bothering you? Nasal irrigation can relieve sinus symptoms associated with colds and allergies. Learn how to do nasal irrigation with this visual guide from WebMD.
What Is Posterior Nasal Packing?
Posterior nasal packing is a procedure to control the bleeding from the behind (posterior aspect) of the nose. Posterior bleeding is much less common than anterior bleeding and usually is treated by the ear, nose, and throat surgeon (an otolaryngologist). Posterior nosebleeds involve bleeding from the back of the nasal cavity.