What is turbinate reduction?
Turbinate reduction means shrinking the turbinates inside the nose when they have enlarged and narrowed the airway. The turbinates are structures on the side wall of the nose with bone inside and a lining on the outside; they warm, humidify and filter the air you breathe. That is why the aim is not to remove the turbinate but to reduce it while preserving its function.
Why do turbinates enlarge, and what are the symptoms?
Turbinate enlargement is usually caused by swelling of the lining; sometimes the bone inside the turbinate is also large. The most common causes of swelling are allergic rhinitis and non-allergic (vasomotor) rhinitis; it is usually on both sides.
- A blocked nose that is constant or switches sides during the day
- A runny nose and postnasal drip
- Mouth breathing, snoring and a dry mouth
- Running out of breath during sport and exertion, daytime tiredness
- Constantly needing decongestant sprays
Decongestant nasal sprays reduce the swelling for a short time, but with long-term use the turbinates can become dependent on the spray and swell even more. This is a common condition that needs treatment.
How is it examined and diagnosed?
Turbinate enlargement is diagnosed with an ear, nose and throat examination and an endoscopic examination of the nose. The examination assesses the size of the turbinates, how much the swelling goes down with medicine and any other causes contributing to the blockage.
Turbinate enlargement can be confused with, or occur together with, a deviated septum, nasal valve narrowing, chronic sinusitis, polyps and, rarely, nasal tumours. For the right treatment, all the causes of the blockage are identified together.
Is treatment without surgery possible?
Yes; treatment starts with medicine. In allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, steroid nasal sprays and, if needed, allergy medicines can markedly reduce the swelling of the turbinates. If there is dependence on decongestant sprays, these are stopped under medical supervision.
If the blockage continues despite regular medical treatment for long enough and affects sleep and daily life, turbinate reduction is considered.
How is turbinate reduction performed?
Turbinate reduction is usually performed under general anaesthesia, in some patients under local anaesthesia, and is generally a day procedure. The method is chosen according to whether the enlargement comes from the lining or from the bone.
- Radiofrequency: controlled heat energy is delivered inside the turbinate through a fine tip; as it heals, the tissue contracts and the turbinate becomes smaller. The surface of the lining is preserved.
- Coblation: a controlled reduction method similar to radiofrequency that works at a lower temperature.
- Submucosal reduction with a microdebrider: tissue is removed from inside the turbinate while the surface lining is left in place.
- Partial reduction: if the bone is enlarged, a small part of the turbinate is removed together with the bone.
Removing the whole turbinate is no longer recommended: the nose loses its ability to regulate the air, and “empty nose syndrome” can develop, in which you feel unable to breathe even though the nose is open.
If there is also a deviated septum, septoplasty is carried out in the same operation; correcting both problems together can give greater relief.
Recovery
Full recovery after turbinate reduction usually takes 2–6 weeks.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| First days | Blockage due to swelling inside the nose and a mild discharge. Most people return to daily activities quickly. |
| Weeks 1–3 | Crusts form inside the nose. Saline spray, moisturisers and petroleum jelly at the entrance of the nose help; crusts are cleaned at the check-ups. |
| Weeks 2–6 | The turbinates shrink and breathing becomes clearly easier. |
Contact your doctor if you have a fever, bleeding, severe pain or marked difficulty breathing.
Is the result permanent, and what are the risks?
In most patients the result lasts a long time. However, if the underlying cause such as allergy continues, the turbinates can enlarge again over time; that is why it is important to continue allergy treatment after surgery.
- Bleeding and infection
- Prolonged crusting and nasal dryness
- Adhesions inside the nose
- Blockage that does not fully resolve; this is reassessed for an accompanying deviation, valve narrowing or regrowth
How does the process work with Prof. Dr. Öner Çelik?
- Consultation: all causes of the blockage are identified with an endoscopic nasal examination at the clinic in Suadiye.
- Treatment plan: medical treatment is arranged first; if it is not enough, surgery is planned with the appropriate reduction method and for any accompanying problems.
- Surgery: performed at Maltepe University Hospital, usually as a day procedure.
- Check-ups: crust cleaning and follow-up of healing are carried out at the clinic.
The cost depends on the extent of the operation (turbinates alone or together with septoplasty) and the method, and is given after the consultation. Details are on the your treatment in Istanbul page.
Frequently asked
When is turbinate reduction needed?
It is recommended for chronic nasal blockage in which enlarged turbinates narrow the airway and do not improve with medicines or sprays. It is done with methods such as radiofrequency, coblation or a microdebrider, usually under general anaesthesia as a day case; full healing usually takes 2–6 weeks.
More detail: Turbinate reduction.
Which doctor treats enlarged turbinates?
Enlarged turbinates are treated by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor. An endoscopic examination of the nose assesses both the turbinates and any other causes of the blockage.
Is radiofrequency turbinate reduction permanent?
In most patients, turbinates reduced with radiofrequency stay smaller for a long time. If an underlying cause such as allergy continues, they can swell again over time; medical treatment and, if needed, repeating the procedure are then considered.
Articles on this topic
- Enlarged Turbinates (Turbinate Hypertrophy) and Radiofrequency Treatment Enlarged turbinates (turbinate hypertrophy) means that structures inside the nose swell and narrow the airway; it is a…
References
- Han JK et al. Clinical Consensus Statement: Septoplasty with or without Inferior Turbinate Reduction. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;153(5):708-720.
- Zhang K et al. Systematic Review of Surgical Interventions for Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy. Am J Rhinol Allergy, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This content is for information only and does not replace medical advice. Every medical procedure requires an individual assessment and may carry risks. Results vary from person to person.
