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How Likely is It to Develop Empty Nose Syndrome After Rhinoplasty W/septoplasty and Turbinectomy? What Can I Do to Avoid ENS?

Doctor Answers 4

Empty nose syndrome after rhinoplasty? No.

September 27th, 2013
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The volume of the nasal turbinates can be safely reduced to improve breathing, but the key is to not remove the overlying mucous membranes. Turbinate reduction, as it's called,  is achieved through several different means and should not lead to ENS. In fact, I've never seen that occur with merely turbinate reduction.

Turbinectomy (removing a turbinate), on the other hand, is what can lead to Empty Nose Syndrome and should be avoided.

Rhinoplasty and septoplasty by themselves do not lead to ENS, either.

Bottom line: discuss with your surgeon whether the plan is to remove the turbinates or simply reduce them.

All the best,

--DCP

Pearson Facial Plastic Surgery®

David C. Pearson, MD


Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 25 reviews

September 27th, 2013

Empty nose syndrome after rhinoplasty? No.

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

The volume of the nasal turbinates can be safely reduced to improve breathing, but the key is to not remove the overlying mucous membranes. Turbinate reduction, as it's called,  is achieved through several different means and should not lead to ENS. In fact, I've never seen that occur with merely turbinate reduction.

Turbinectomy (removing a turbinate), on the other hand, is what can lead to Empty Nose Syndrome and should be avoided.

Rhinoplasty and septoplasty by themselves do not lead to ENS, either.

Bottom line: discuss with your surgeon whether the plan is to remove the turbinates or simply reduce them.

All the best,

--DCP

Pearson Facial Plastic Surgery®


Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Empty nose syndrome after rhinoplasty or septoplasty

September 26th, 2013
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  Empty nose syndrome should not occur after a rhinoplasty or septoplasty. It usually occurs  when too much inferior or middle turbinates have been resected.

Web reference: http://www.seattle-rhinoplasty.com/SinusSurgery.pdf

William Portuese, MD
September 26th, 2013

Empty nose syndrome after rhinoplasty or septoplasty

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  Empty nose syndrome should not occur after a rhinoplasty or septoplasty. It usually occurs  when too much inferior or middle turbinates have been resected.

Learn more: http://www.seattle-rhinoplasty.com/SinusSurgery.pdf

William Portuese, MD

How Likely is It to Develop Empty Nose Syndrome After Rhinoplasty W/septoplasty and Turbinectomy? What Can I Do to Avoid ENS?

October 3rd, 2013
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    This would be extremely unlikely and reflects more on historical procedures.

 

 

Kenneth Hughes, MD

Los Angeles, CA

Web reference: http://www.hughesplasticsurgery.com/Rhinoplasty.php

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD
October 3rd, 2013

How Likely is It to Develop Empty Nose Syndrome After Rhinoplasty W/septoplasty and Turbinectomy? What Can I Do to Avoid ENS?

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    This would be extremely unlikely and reflects more on historical procedures.

 

 

Kenneth Hughes, MD

Los Angeles, CA

Learn more: http://www.hughesplasticsurgery.com/Rhinoplasty.php

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD

Empty Nose Syndrome is associated with removal of too much turbinate tissue.

September 26th, 2013
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You may benefit from having this discussion with your surgeon. ENS is not associated with rhinoplasty or septoplasty. We have not seen ENS in any of our patients treated with turbinate reduction (submucous electrodessication), or partial turbinate resection.

Your decision to have turbinectomy needs to be made between you and your surgeon, and you should share your concerns before surgery. My hunch is that you may be reassured, since ENS is an extremely uncommon condition.

Hope this helps, and I wish you well.

Dr. Joseph

Web reference: http://ericmjoseph.com/

Eric M. Joseph, MD

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 425 reviews

September 26th, 2013

Empty Nose Syndrome is associated with removal of too much turbinate tissue.

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

You may benefit from having this discussion with your surgeon. ENS is not associated with rhinoplasty or septoplasty. We have not seen ENS in any of our patients treated with turbinate reduction (submucous electrodessication), or partial turbinate resection.

Your decision to have turbinectomy needs to be made between you and your surgeon, and you should share your concerns before surgery. My hunch is that you may be reassured, since ENS is an extremely uncommon condition.

Hope this helps, and I wish you well.

Dr. Joseph

Learn more: http://ericmjoseph.com/

Eric M. Joseph, MD

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 425 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.