Will my nose adjust to the increase air flow after out fracture of the inferior turbinates?

Question

I had Rhinoplasty with out fracture of the inferior turbinate 9 months ago. since 4 months ago I began having dryness and crusting in my nose. My surgeon and another ENT doctor checked my nose and both said that everything looks ok and that the dryness and crusting are due to the increase airflow. They said that my nose will adjust to it with time. how long will it take for my nose to adjust to the increase airflow?

Stephen H. Fink, DO, FAOCO · Answer

In my professional and personal experience of having a septoplasty and turbinate reduction, it may take several months to a few years to adjust to increased airflow depending on how dry the climate is where you live. Out fracture by itself is usually not as dramatic of a change.  Moisturizing nasal sprays, humidifiers and topical emollients can be helpful in the interim. When in dry climates it may always be more apparent, but the improved airflow all the time is usually a worthwhile trade. If you are having large crusts, nasal obstruction or if  it is really bothersome, I would seek another evaluation.

Juan Carlos Fuentes, MD · Answer

The time to adjust to have a bigger airway and less humidification of the air from having a less functional lower turbinate is very variable. What you may notice is that the dryness is more noticeable in dry weather conditions like during the summer or places like the dessert. You need to moist your nasal mucosa, with a nasal saline spray to improve the crusting and dryness, some times even a small amount of Vaseline just in the first millimeters of the nostrils will also help with the symptoms.

R. Laurence Berkowitz, MD · Answer

The suggestions presented here are standard.  None of us can answer your question satisfactorily without an in person examination. Important factors would be if any additional treatments were done to the septum and turbinates such as cautery or radiofrequency treatment. I have only seen true empty nose syndrome in cases of inferior turbinate resection and/or septal perforations. Like any mucous membrane in the body, the nasal passages are subject to dryness for a variety of non structural causes as well, and this should be explored.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear loriborders, Speak with your surgeon or the ENT referral you have seen regarding what steps can be taken to help alleviate the dryness you are experiencing. Since your surgeon and another ENT surgeon have made a diagnosis then a follow up plan should be put into motion. Part of this plan may include saline nasal spray. a humidifier, and a possible topical treatment? Discuss your options with your treating surgeon. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

Will my nose adjust to the increase air flow after out fracture of the inferior turbinates?

Answers (4)

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