Can rhinoplasty create turbinate issues? What is turbinate reduction like?

Question

I had a complex septo/rhinoplasty nearly 4 mos. ago (osteotomies, grafts, struts), and I've been congested ever since - but not before surgery. My doc says the left turbinate is very swollen, and suggests I may need to see an ENT for turbinate reduction (my doc is a plastics guy, not an ENT). Could my decision to have surgery cause this issue? Might it still be swelling that could improve? If I do need the reduction, will the recovery be as horrific as with rhinoplasty? Thanks for considering.

Michael A. Carron, MD · Answer

Turbinates are scrolls of bone covered in a mucous membrane that allow for the warming and humification of the air.  Sometimes the turbinates are just very large and take up room in the nose.  The first step is to use nasal steroids or nasal antihistamines to control for allergy.  If that fails then a turbinate reduction is the next step.  This takes about 10 minutes and there are several ways to do the procedure.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Rhinoplasty doesn't cause problems with your turbinates but it is possible that the rhinoplasty changes or reduction in the size of your airway has unmasked a turbinate issue. I would recommend consulting with an ENT/ Facial Plastic Surgeon to evaluate your airway. They can clarify whether the issue is simply due to a swollen turbinate or if there are also structural airway issues involved. Turbinate reduction recovery is actually quite minimal compared to what you've already been through. No bruising, no external swelling and very mild discomfort. Best.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Michael T. Somenek, MD · Answer

At 4 months there is likely some component of swelling both internally and externally that could potentially be causing your nasal obstruction. The rhinoplasty procedure does not cause the turbinates to swell, however, they may be swelling due to increased or altered airflow to the nose. If it is determined that you need a turbinate reduction, the recovery is not as bad as the rhinoplasty and usually involves some nasal drainage for the first day or so and crusting while healing.

Cody A. Koch, MD, PhD · Answer

The turbinates are bony outpouchings in our nose that are covered by mucosa and humidify and clean the air we breathe. In some cases the turbinates can become enlarged causing nasal obstruction to congestion.  Sometimes after septorhinoplasty the turbinates can become enlarged and get better over time.  In many cases the turbinates are reduced at the time of septorhinoplasty to prevent this problem.  I would weary of anyone who performs nasal surgery that does not know how to treat the turbinates.  Reduction of the turbinates can be performed a number of different ways and in some cases can be done in the office.  The recovery after turbinate surgery is much easier than after septorhinoplasty and most patients have very little pain following this procedure if performed in isolation.

Can rhinoplasty create turbinate issues? What is turbinate reduction like?

Answers (4)

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