Turbinoplasty or Turbinate Reduction Surgery is used to treat nasal obstruction.

What is Turbinoplasty and Turbinectomy?

Turbinates, also known as nasal conchae, are the bony projections that line the interior of the nose. They are part of the nose’s structure and help warm, filter, and moisten air flowing into your nasal passage. The nasal cavity is divided by three pairs of Turbinates into four air passages that lead to the sinuses lying behind each cheekbone. The largest pair of the turbinates is called the inferior turbinates. These turbinates are larger than the other two pairs because they provide most of the filtration for breathing through the nose. The turbinates are covered with mucus-secreting skin that helps humidify and warm air as it enters the nose. They also act as filters, trapping dust and other particles before they enter your bronchus.

Sometimes the turbinates can get larger and block the airflow through your nose. This enlargement is usually benign and needs to be removed in order for you to breathe freely. Over time, it leads to a severely obstructed nasal passage, which results in snoring and, in more severe cases, sleep apnoea. While it is true that some people have larger turbinates than others, most sleep apnoea patients have overly large turbinates. An enlarged turbinate may also be the cause of breathing difficulty while awake.

Turbinectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the turbinates. It involves partial or complete removal of the inferior turbinate. It is more radical than Turbinoplasty.

Why Patients Might Consider Turbinate Surgery

• The hypertrophy of the turbinate bones is one of the most important causes of nasal obstruction. Turbinate Surgery decreases turbinate hypertrophy and reduces nasal obstruction
• Rhinitis refers to the inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes and is associated with sneezing and congestion. Turbinate Surgery can improve the symptoms of rhinitis or help prevent rhinitis
• Turbinate Surgery can help patients with breathing problems and sleep apnoea
• Helps people with frequent snoring and interrupted breathing throughout the night
• Helps people with chronic nasal obstruction
• Helps to address a deviated septum
• Helps prevent recurring sinusitis

Are You a Suitable Candidate for Turbinate Reduction Surgery?

Turbinate Surgery may be required to help treat various conditions. It is mostly a functional procedure, so people who have trouble breathing through their noses are usually the ones who are advised to consider surgery. You might be a candidate for Turbinate Surgery:

• If you have chronic nasal obstruction
• If you have recurrent nasal discharge (rhinorrhoea)
• If you have nasal blockage
• If your nasal septum (the middle section of your nose that divides the nose into two parts) has deviated
• If your turbinates are swollen and enlarged
• If you have a snoring problem
• If you have sleep apnoea

Usually, you should be in good health to be eligible for any surgery. Since this is a minor surgery, the risks are lower compared to other types of Rhinoplasty. This means people with comorbidities like high blood pressure can also get this surgery. However, Turbinoplasty is still a surgical procedure and all surgical procedures carry risks, which can be discussed in full with you during your consultation. In short, anyone having a breathing problem can be a candidate. For swollen turbinates, usually, some medications are first prescribed. You are eligible for Turbinate Surgery only after you have tried the medications and they didn’t work.

If you have undergone a Septoplasty, an operation to widen the nostrils, and your breathing has not improved after several months, you might consider undergoing Turbinate Reduction Surgery.

About the Turbinate Reduction Surgery Procedure

Preparing for Your Turbinate Surgery

Clear liquids like water, clear juice, sports drinks, clear tea, and black coffee may be consumed until 5 hours before your surgery. Do not drink milk-containing products, alcoholic beverages, or drinks with pulp or solids of any kind – and do not have anything to eat or drink – after midnight. You will be asked to stop smoking a few weeks before the surgery. If you are on blood thinners, you will be asked to discontinue those 2 to 3 days before the procedure. Check with Dr Hunt and your anaesthetist about which medications you can or cannot take.

Recovery After Nasal Obstruction Surgery

• You will be given silicone tubes in your nose for at least a week, which helps to stabilise the septum
• There might be mild discomfort after Turbinate Surgery
• You may also experience swelling of the nose, cheeks, eyes, and lips. You may be prescribed pain medication to help with soreness and numbness. It is recommended to not apply an ice pack directly onto the skin
• You might be given a nose splint to help maintain the new shape of the nose
• You may experience a dull headache, swelling around the eyes, and/or bruising around the eyes. This is normal and should go away within a few days. Your vision may be blurry for several days after surgery. This should improve as the swelling goes down
• The nostrils may bleed a little. Numerous small, burst blood vessels can appear on the skin’s surface as tiny red spots. The affected skin may be very sensitive to the touch
• Washing the nose with nasal saline is recommended after your initial appointment with Dr Hunt and the nurse. This helps keep the nose clean and gently washes away all loose debris such as dried blood
• You can also use a nasal decongestant to reduce the swelling faster. Try using it regularly for 1 or 2 days at bedtime
• You can likely return to school or work within a week or so after getting Turbinate Surgery. However, make sure not to push yourself too much

Surgery Aftercare

The procedure is a day surgery, so you can leave on the same day. Your nose will be sore for a few days. Make sure to wear the nasal splints or gauges placed in your nostrils by your doctor. Take lots of vitamin C, and avoid smoking and vaping throughout recovery.