Purpose
There are three turbinates on each side of the nose: inferior, middle, and superior. These are structures inside the nasal cavity that cleanse and humidify air passing through. Enlarged turbinates can block airflow, leading to chronic congestion, difficulty breathing, and other problems.
The most commonly targeted in reduction surgeries are the inferior turbinates because they are the largest and can contribute significantly to nasal obstruction when swollen.
Indications
Turbinate reduction is usually considered when medical treatments (like nasal sprays, antihistamines, or decongestants) are ineffective in relieving chronic nasal congestion or obstruction.
Common conditions that might necessitate this surgery include:
​
-
chronic sinusitis
-
structural abnormalities
Have questions?
Give us a call and schedule an appointment with an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor in Hollywood, Florida.
(754) 888-1368
Procedure
Turbinate reduction is typically performed in less than an hour as an outpatient procedure under local or general anesthesia.
​
-
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Uses radiofrequency energy to reduce the size of the turbinates.
-
Submucosal Resection: Involves removing some of the bone and tissue from inside the turbinate while preserving the mucous membrane.
-
Laser-Assisted Turbinate Reduction: Uses a laser to reduce the size of the turbinates.
-
Microdebrider-Assisted Turbinate Reduction: Uses a special instrument to shave down the turbinate tissue.
-
Cauterization: Involves burning part of the turbinate tissue to reduce its size.
Recovery
Full recovery can take several weeks. To control bleeding and promote healing, nasal packing may be necessary for the first two days. Saline nasal irrigation and pain medication is recommended to keep the nasal passages moist and promote healing.
​
Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and to keep the nasal passages moist. Follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor healing and to ensure the procedure's success.
Risks
Possible risks include bleeding, infection, crusting, dryness, and, rarely, empty nose syndrome (a condition where the nose feels excessively dry and empty).