turbinoplasty

Turbinoplasty is a surgical procedure intended to reduce the size of one or more nasal turbinates in order to improve nasal airflow and relieve obstruction while preserving mucosal function. The inferior turbinate is most commonly treated, though techniques can be applied to other turbinates as needed. The goal is to decrease nasal resistance and restore normal breathing without causing excessive drying or atrophy of the nasal mucosa.

Indications for turbinoplasty include chronic nasal obstruction due to turbinate hypertrophy from allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, nonallergic rhinitis, or persistent rhinitis that does not respond adequately to medical therapy such as intranasal corticosteroids, antihistamines, and saline irrigation. It may be considered when medical management is insufficient or as an adjunct to other procedures for maximal improvement.

Techniques vary and are selected based on the surgeon’s assessment and the patient’s anatomy. Common approaches include submucosal resection or reduction, outfracture (lateralization) of the turbinate, partial turbinectomy, and energy-based methods such as radiofrequency ablation, electrocautery, laser, coblation, or microdebrider-assisted reduction. Some methods aim to preserve mucosa while reducing volume, others remove a portion of tissue. Endoscopic guidance is frequently used to improve precision and safety.

Outcomes generally include improved nasal airflow and reduced subjective obstruction, with enhancements in quality of life reported by many patients. Potential complications include bleeding, crusting or drying of the nasal mucosa, synechiae (adhesions), septal perforation in rare cases, and, less commonly, empty nose syndrome if excessive tissue removal occurs. Postoperative care typically involves nasal saline irrigations and observation for healing.