Will my turbinates be operated on during a septoplasty. Scared to death of empty nose syndrome.

Question

I was told by a ent doctor that a septoplasty would be required to fix my deviated septum. My question is will my turbinates be touched during this procedure? from my understanding a reduction or a total removal of the turbinates can lead to empty nose syndrome which i am terrified of

Joelle Rogal, MD · Answer

A turbinate reduction can be performed in addition to a septoplasty if needed, but they are separate procedures. Frequently, a turbinate reduction is performed concurrently with a septoplasty to improve the airway.  Although, some surgeons remove the entire turbinate, most surgeons no longer do this.  In most cases, the turbinate size is reduced from the inside, preserving the mucosa (or outside tissue lining), making the risk of empty nose syndrome very rare. I recommend speaking with your surgeon to determine the exact procedure that will be performed.

Anthony Corrado, DO · Answer

Turbinate surgery is typically not performed unless there is presence of turbinate hypertrophy or enlargement.  If the turbinates are enlarged and causing airway obstruction they are routinely reduced in conjunction with septoplasty surgery.  Modern methods of turbinate reduction, know as submucus resection (SMR), do not have the risks that older methods of turbinate surgery (turbinate resection/removal) were known for.  Please discuss this with your physician.  Good Luck!

Mani H. Zadeh, MD · Answer

Turbinate reduction is often performed with a septoplasty, however this is determined on an patient by patient basis.  It is best to ask your surgeon if your turbinates are enlarged and require surgical treatment. If a turbinate reduction is recommended, it is important to inquire about the technique being used.  So long as the mucosal lining of the turbinate is preserved and not traumatized, empty nose syndrome can be avoided.  Wish you the best.

Ahmed Maki, DO, FACS · Answer

Often times I perform a concurrent turbinate procedure with my septoplasty.  However as was previously stated in other responses, that is only on a patient by patient basis. As far as empty syndrome is concerned, I wouldn't lose sleep over this. This is usually a result of removing turbinates completely from the nose or "resecting" them versus turbinate reductions which are more commonly done nowadays with a various number of devices.  Hope this helped!

Will my turbinates be operated on during a septoplasty. Scared to death of empty nose syndrome.

Answers (4)

Answer: Septo+/- turbinate reduction

Answer: Septo+/- turbinate reduction

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Everything you need to know about Septoplasty

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Will my turbinates be operated on during a septoplasty. Scared to death of empty nose syndrome.

Answers (4)

Answer: Septo+/- turbinate reduction

Answer: Septo+/- turbinate reduction

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Septoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.