What is a turbinate reduction? I see that it's often done with the septoplasty - are they always done together? Would I need both to help my breathing?
February 14, 2018
Answer: Turbinate reduction can be very helpful The nasal turbinates are bony structures covered by a mucous membrane lining the inside of the nose. There are 3-4 turbinates on each side of the nose (inferior, middle, superior, and sometimes supreme). Generally, the inferior turbinate is the most common of these to contribute to nasal obstruction as the majority of nasal airflow is through the inferior part of the nose. The turbinates will swell in response to inflammation, which is often caused by nasal allergies. The nasal obstruction related to enlarged turbinates tends to alternate from side to side as part of the nasal cycle. This swelling may respond to a nasal steroid spray (like Flonase, Nasonex, etc) used on a daily basis over the course of 4-6 weeks, but many times, the turbinates remain enlarged and continue to cause nasal obstruction despite medical treatment.
Helpful
February 14, 2018
Answer: Turbinate reduction can be very helpful The nasal turbinates are bony structures covered by a mucous membrane lining the inside of the nose. There are 3-4 turbinates on each side of the nose (inferior, middle, superior, and sometimes supreme). Generally, the inferior turbinate is the most common of these to contribute to nasal obstruction as the majority of nasal airflow is through the inferior part of the nose. The turbinates will swell in response to inflammation, which is often caused by nasal allergies. The nasal obstruction related to enlarged turbinates tends to alternate from side to side as part of the nasal cycle. This swelling may respond to a nasal steroid spray (like Flonase, Nasonex, etc) used on a daily basis over the course of 4-6 weeks, but many times, the turbinates remain enlarged and continue to cause nasal obstruction despite medical treatment.
Helpful
December 22, 2014
Answer: Turbinate Reduction? The superior, middle, and inferior turbinates are outcroppings of the inner aspect of the lateral nasal passage which increase the surface area of the nasal mucosa. The function of these structures is to warm and humidify the air that we breathe. Enlargement of any or all of the turbinates can be secondary to anatomical air cells in the bone that forms the turbinates or due to allergy. Although turbinate resection/ reduction has been heavily utilized in the past, its efficacy is questionable and over-resection leads to distinct problems. If the issue the patient is suffering from is allergy, it makes more sense to treat the allergy than to treat the turbinate anatomically.
Helpful
December 22, 2014
Answer: Turbinate Reduction? The superior, middle, and inferior turbinates are outcroppings of the inner aspect of the lateral nasal passage which increase the surface area of the nasal mucosa. The function of these structures is to warm and humidify the air that we breathe. Enlargement of any or all of the turbinates can be secondary to anatomical air cells in the bone that forms the turbinates or due to allergy. Although turbinate resection/ reduction has been heavily utilized in the past, its efficacy is questionable and over-resection leads to distinct problems. If the issue the patient is suffering from is allergy, it makes more sense to treat the allergy than to treat the turbinate anatomically.
Helpful
