Turbinate reduction

Turbinate reduction is a nasal cavity treatment for people with obstructive sleep apnea. The bone structures of the nose, called nasal turbinates, are covered with spongy lining that helps warm and moisturize air as it passes through the nasal cavity. Allergies and dust irritants can cause the turbinates to swell, contributing to a blocked airway that stops air from moving through your windpipe while you sleep, called sleep apnea. Turbinate reduction is a surgical procedure that opens the blocked airways to increase the size of your nasal passage and improve breathing. It also helps reduce snoring and treats severe nasal allergies.

Turbinate surgery is performed by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, also known as an otolaryngologist.

Turbinate surgery—sometimes referred to as nasal turbinate reduction, inferior turbinate reduction, or bilateral turbinate reduction—is performed on one or both sides of your nose and is sometimes combined with other nasal treatments, such as rhinoplasty, which reshapes the nose to correct breathing problems, or septoplasty, which corrects a deviated septum.

During turbinate reduction, your doctor shrinks your turbinate tissue using one of the following techniques:

• Cauterization: A heated tool is used to seal some of the blood vessels in your nasal turbinates to reduce blood flow.
• Radiofrequency or laser ablation: A long, thin probe uses heat energy to form scar tissue on some of your turbinates.
• Turbinectomy: An instrument called a microdebrider is used to remove some or all of the lower turbinate.
• Turbinoplasty: A tool is used to change the position of the turbinate. Your doctor may also remove some of the turbinate tissue.

Your doctor may recommend turbinate reduction surgery if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Nasal obstruction that isn’t resolved with allergy treatments
• Sleep apnea
• Trouble breathing through your nose due to swollen or blocked airways

Before your turbinate reduction surgery, your Penn Medicine care team will explain how the surgical procedure is done and give you time to ask questions. In preparation for surgery, your doctor will review your medications with you and discuss your health history. You may be asked to avoid certain medications and make other minor lifestyle changes in the days leading up to your surgery to ensure the best possible outcome.

You can expect the following when undergoing turbinate reduction surgery:

• Your surgery will be done at your doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital.
• You may have general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, so you’re asleep and pain-free during surgery. Your care team at Penn will be by your side the entire time to make sure you’re comfortable.
• You’ll go home on the same day as the surgery. Note that due to the anesthesia, you’ll need someone to drive you home.
• Your doctor or nurse will explain how to care for your nose during recovery.

Patients who undergo turbinate reduction may experience some pain or discomfort for two to three days after surgery. Your Penn provider will monitor your healing and ensure you’re comfortable throughout recovery. Your nose may feel blocked until the swelling goes down and you’ll likely experience scabbing as your turbinates heal, which can last for a few weeks. Most patients can return to their normal activities within one week.

Turbinate reduction surgery is generally safe, but risks may include the following:

• Change in the sense of smell
• Fluid buildup in the nose
• Hole in the tissue that divides the nose, called the septum
• Loss of feeling in the skin on the nose
• Nasal dryness
• Nosebleeds
• Return of the nasal blockage after surgery
• Scar tissue in the nose

The risk of serious complications is relatively low, but like any medical procedure, there are some potential risks, including an allergic reaction to medicine, bleeding, breathing problems, heart problems, or infection.

The Penn ENT team specializes in advanced treatments for head ailments. When you work with our healthcare teams, you can expect:

• Multidisciplinary care: Penn ENTs work with allergists, pulmonologists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, and neurologists in managing head and neck disorders.
• Care close to home: Penn doctors meet with patients in satellite locations across the region, allowing convenient consultations, second opinions, and pre- and post-operative care right in your community.