During a septorhinoplasty is there a chance where someone can develop empty nose syndrome?

Question

Hi, I’m a 21 year old male with a deviated septum that has troubles breathing. I’m looking to get a septorhinoplasty operation was wondering if the turbinates are operated on during the operation of a septorhinoplasty. I’ve heard countless people talk about the risk of the turbinates being operated on where the patients develop a choking like sensation, called empty nose syndrome. So my question is during a septorhinoplasty is there a chance where someone can develop this disorder?

Jacob Sedgh, MD · Answer

Empty nose syndrome is due to aggressive turbinate reduction. This can be done at the same time as any type of nasal surgery. There are many ways to reduce the size of the inferior turbinates and more conservative techniques can minimize the chance of such a potential problem in future.

Stephen J. Pincus, MD · Answer

I haven't heard of a "choking like" sensation with the empty nose syndrome, but rather a sense of that nostril being very widely open because you do not feel the resistance of air going through. This is slightly akin to breathing through your mouth where you get somewhat breathless because of the lack of airway resistance. Also, because you will be lacking the mucus from many less intranasal mucous glands, the air tends to be much drier with crusts forming. Also, bacteria could start growing under these crusts producing a foul smell. In order to produce this syndrome, a significant amount of turbinate tissue must be removed. In the majority of cases, where this procedure is being recommended, the turbinates (especially the inferior ones) are hypertrophied with either excess, mucous membrane &/or bone. So a judicious removal of the offending areas usually does not produce this syndrome. Also, in the majority of cases, it's just the anterior part of the inferior turbinates that is removed.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Empty nose syndrome is real but quite rare. I have never seen a case and I perform turbinectomies on a regular basis.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Performing a rhinoplasty and a septoplasty will not create ENS. Removing excessive middle turbinate or inferior turbinate tissue can certainly lead to ENS. Best to have a frank discussion with your operative surgeon about avoiding turbinate surgery

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

While empty nose syndrome has been known for a long time, its actual occurrence is very rare even with more complete inferior turbinate removals. But most inferior turbinate management today is done more conservative technique with more of the tissues are maintained.

During a septorhinoplasty is there a chance where someone can develop empty nose syndrome?

Answers (5)

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