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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Turbinoplasty: A Solution to Nasal Congestion & Breathing Issues

Turbinoplasty – Turbinate reduction is a surgical procedure to reduce enlarged nasal turbinates and improve your breathing. It’s often combined with septoplasty and sinus surgery.

Turbinates function to warm and humidify air as it travels through the nose. They can become enlarged due to either a build-up of bone or mucosal swelling.

What is turbinate reduction?

Turbinate reduction is a procedure used to reduce the size of one or more enlarged nasal turbinates, which can be causing a variety of problems such as sleep apnea, post-nasal drip, and chronic congestion. This treatment is usually recommended if non-surgical measures, such as medications and at-home treatments, do not improve symptoms.

The turbinates are bony and soft-tissue structures inside the nose that warm, filter, and humidify inhaled air. They also trap irritants, like pollen, so they do not enter the lungs and allow you to breathe more easily.

In a surgical procedure called turbinate reduction, a surgeon may remove a wedge of tissue from the turbinate that is causing problems. This procedure is sometimes performed in conjunction with septoplasty, a surgery that corrects a deviated septum.

Other turbinate reduction methods involve shrinking the turbinates without cutting them, using techniques such as cauterization, coblation, and radiofrequency ablation. These procedures use heat energy to shrink turbinate tissues by forming scar tissue that will eventually heal.

How is turbinate reduction performed?

Turbinate reduction is an effective treatment for nasal obstruction and other respiratory problems such as post-nasal drip, headaches, snoring and sleep apnea. It can be performed as a single procedure or combined with other corrective surgery such as septoplasty.

The first line of defense against enlarged turbinates is medications and non-invasive treatments such as at-home remedies like steroid nasal sprays and antihistamine nasal drops. However, if these treatments fail to improve your symptoms, turbinate reduction may be recommended.

Dr. Kuperan uses a variety of surgical techniques to reduce the size of enlarged turbinates, and can recommend the best method for your needs. During your consultation appointment, he will carefully examine your nasal anatomy and discuss your specific symptoms to develop a tailored treatment plan.

During the surgery, a microdebrider or other tool is used to thin the tissue inside of your turbinates. The turbinates are also pushed outward, increasing the space between them and the nasal septum.

What are the benefits of turbinate reduction?

If you are having nasal congestion and a blocked airway that causes postnasal drip, turbinoplasty could be the right treatment for you. Commonwealth ENT offers turbinoplasty as an in-office procedure that takes under 10 minutes and has very little recovery time or discomfort.

Your turbinates (also known as nasal concha) are bony and soft-tissue structures inside your nose that trap dirt, dust, pollen, and other irritants so they don’t get into your lungs. They also add moisture to the air you breathe, which helps your lungs work more efficiently.

When they become enlarged, they can block your nasal airway, causing symptoms like congestion, postnasal drip, and sleep apnea. This can be caused by allergies, sinus infections, or other conditions.

Depending on the condition, your doctor may recommend one of two types of turbinoplasty procedures. The first method involves cauterization, which heats your turbinates to shrink them without removing bone or tissue. The second method involves surgical removal.

What are the risks of turbinate reduction?

Swollen turbinates can obstruct nasal airflow and make it difficult to breathe. They can also cause sleep apnea, chronic congestion, and postnasal drip.

Turbinates can become enlarged for many reasons, including allergies, infection, or a deviated septum. Surgical methods reduce the size of enlarged turbinates, which can help improve breathing and relieve nasal symptoms.

Some turbinate reduction surgery techniques involve bone or tissue removal, while others use heat to reduce the size of the turbinates. The heat causes scar tissue to form as the turbinates heal, reducing their size.

The heat also can damage nearby tissue, so the area may not heal as quickly. This can lead to scarring and crusting in the nose for months after surgery, which can be uncomfortable or painful.

In most cases, turbinoplasty is a safe procedure with minimal risk of complications. However, it is important to discuss all potential risks with your sinus doctor so you can make an informed decision about whether turbinate reduction surgery is right for you.

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