Hello, I am getting close to booking my surgery and my doctor is going to perform a rhino/septoplasty with turbinate reduction. However, I just came across some information about Empty Nose Syndrome which left me completely terrified of having this procedure. Can I have the surgery without him removing part of my turbinates? It's the look of my nose that bothers me the most, not the breathing aspect. Thanks so much for your time!
November 6, 2015
Answer: Destructive nasal surgery Unfortunately, much of the rhinoplasty surgery (functional and/or cosmetic) performed and taught in the 1970's and 1980's was destructive to normal anatomic structures....over resection of supporting and functional structures led to bad cosmetic results and poor functional outcomes.Modern day experts in rhinoplasty surgery who devote a significant amount of their practice to the discipline of nasal surgery generally adhere to 'constructive' principles with meticulous attention to anatomical detail...in this way, cosmetic results are much more predictable and shouldn't come at the expense of function.... in addition, the correction of many functional issues will be synergistic with aesthetic goals.... older methods of turbinate resection have been replaced by radiofrequency ablation and minimally invasive meansgood luck
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November 6, 2015
Answer: Destructive nasal surgery Unfortunately, much of the rhinoplasty surgery (functional and/or cosmetic) performed and taught in the 1970's and 1980's was destructive to normal anatomic structures....over resection of supporting and functional structures led to bad cosmetic results and poor functional outcomes.Modern day experts in rhinoplasty surgery who devote a significant amount of their practice to the discipline of nasal surgery generally adhere to 'constructive' principles with meticulous attention to anatomical detail...in this way, cosmetic results are much more predictable and shouldn't come at the expense of function.... in addition, the correction of many functional issues will be synergistic with aesthetic goals.... older methods of turbinate resection have been replaced by radiofrequency ablation and minimally invasive meansgood luck
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November 1, 2015
Answer: Empty Nose Syndrome? Thank you for your question.Nasal surgery to address nasal obstruction and difficulty breathing through the nose is a complex and multi-layered set of procedures that work together to correct various parts of your nasal airway in order to improve airflow. In order to properly improve nasal airflow, it is necessary to first understand the anatomy and physiology of the nose, and then treat each portion of that anatomy and physiology that are functioning suboptimally. In the right patient, a turbinate reduction can be a transformative procedure that helps patients breathe like never before.Certain types of turbinate reductions have been more associated with empty nose syndrome than others, and other types of turbinate reduction have been associated with only temporary results. The "Gold Standard" of turbinate reduction is the submucous resection of the inferior turbinates. This prevents empty nose syndrome while also yielding long-lasting results.I suggest that you ask your surgeon these questions specifically and find out how he plans to avoid this potential complication. Of course, you're also entitled to a second opinion if you need more reassurance - you deserve to be happy with your surgical plan, as well as the team you've chosen to carry it out.Best wishes.
Helpful
November 1, 2015
Answer: Empty Nose Syndrome? Thank you for your question.Nasal surgery to address nasal obstruction and difficulty breathing through the nose is a complex and multi-layered set of procedures that work together to correct various parts of your nasal airway in order to improve airflow. In order to properly improve nasal airflow, it is necessary to first understand the anatomy and physiology of the nose, and then treat each portion of that anatomy and physiology that are functioning suboptimally. In the right patient, a turbinate reduction can be a transformative procedure that helps patients breathe like never before.Certain types of turbinate reductions have been more associated with empty nose syndrome than others, and other types of turbinate reduction have been associated with only temporary results. The "Gold Standard" of turbinate reduction is the submucous resection of the inferior turbinates. This prevents empty nose syndrome while also yielding long-lasting results.I suggest that you ask your surgeon these questions specifically and find out how he plans to avoid this potential complication. Of course, you're also entitled to a second opinion if you need more reassurance - you deserve to be happy with your surgical plan, as well as the team you've chosen to carry it out.Best wishes.
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