Turbinate Surgery: Treatment for Breathing & Sinus Issues
Some breathing and sinus issues are caused by inflammation in the nasal walls. Our ear, nose and throat doctors in Phoenix may recommend turbinate surgery as a treatment for breathing and sinus issues.
What are Nasal Turbinates?
Inside your nose, there are 3 bony structures that are covered in tissue. These are nasal turbinates and their function is to help cleanse and humidify the air that passes through the nose. If you have an infection or suffer from allergies, these tissues can become inflamed so airflow becomes blocked. You can also experience excessive mucous and congestion with this condition.
The Goal of Turbinate Surgery
Turbinate surgery is performed to shrink the nasal turbinates so breathing can be improved. There are several different surgical methods to achieve the desired results:
- Turbinectomy
- Turbinoplasty
- Radiofrequency turbinate reduction
Our team will assess your condition and recommend the best surgical method for you.
What to Expect During Turbinate Surgery
Each of these surgical methods will begin with either local or general anesthesia. All of these methods are performed as outpatient procedures in our office.
- Turbinectomy is performed to remove all or part of the lower turbinate by removing extra tissue. Our team uses an endoscope (thin, lighted camera) to see inside the nose and perform this procedure.
- Turbinoplasty is performed to reposition the turbinate by placing a tool inside the nose so airflow channels can be opened. It may be necessary to remove extra tissue.
- Radiofrequency turbinate reduction is performed to shrink the tissue using laser light or radiofrequency energy. A thin probe is inserted into the nose to accomplish this goal.
What to Expect After Turbinate Surgery
Reduction of nasal turbinates does not happen overnight. It may take a week or more for the swelling to go down after the procedure and you may feel pain or discomfort for several days after turbinectomy or turbinoplasty procedures. There may be less discomfort after radiofrequency turbinate reduction. Most patients should plan to take a week off work or school after the procedures to allow for proper healing.
In some cases, it may be necessary to insert nasal splints to aid in the healing process. These are temporary and are often removed within 1 week.
The good news is that most patients experience relief from nasal inflammation for 2-3 years after these procedures.
You Have Questions: We Have Answers
When you come in for your appointment, we’ll cover commonly asked questions about turbinate surgery such as:
- Where are the turbinates located?
- What is turbinate surgery?
- Is turbinate surgery safe?
- How long is recovery after turbinate surgery?
- And many more
To find out if you have swollen tissues inside your nose and if turbinate surgery in Phoenix is the right treatment to improve your breathing and sinus problems, contact our office today at (602) 956-1250 or click here to request an appointment.