Nose & Throat

Michigan Avenue ENT leverages minimally invasive procedures to properly assess and alleviate chronic sinus problems with little to no downtime.

A nasal surgery such as a turbinate reduction is the perfect solution for alleviating chronic nasal congestion. Keep reading to discover the benefits of this procedure for chronic sinus sufferers, or schedule an appointment.

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What is a Turbinate Reduction?

Turbinates are small structures inside the nose, along the nasal cavity. They are surrounded by soft tissue that can become swollen and inflamed by allergies, irritation, or infection. This causes issues due to the fact that turbinates’ main function is to regulate airflow and warm the air you breathe in. When turbinates become inflamed it can cause nasal obstruction and eventually congestion due to increased production of mucous. To correct this airflow issue, a licensed ENT can perform a turbinate reduction, a minimally invasive nasal surgery designed to improve how well you breathe through your nose.

ENT procedures of this nature can be performed in the office through minimally invasive techniques that require no incisions and no hospital stay.This sinus procedure is performed on an outpatient basis using local/topical anesthesia. Patients may experience mild swelling and discomfort after surgery.

The recovery process is fairly short for this minimally invasive turbinate reduction surgery. After about three weeks the scar tissue in your nose should be completely healed.

How is a Turbinate Reduction Performed?

While a turbinate reduction is a surgical procedure, it doesn’t require a lengthy hospital stay. This is a same-day nasal procedure performed in a hospital or surgical center. The reduction is achieved through the use of a small medical device with a light on the end that allows the surgeon to properly view the inside of the nose.

A small incision is made inside the nose, in the lining of the turbinate. Once the incision is made, a small piece of bone is removed and a microdebrider is used to reduce the thickness of the surrounding tissue. To close up the surgeon will use cautery or radiofrequency to stop any bleeding.

While the procedure is designed to require little downtime, don’t expect to bounce back to normal immediately. The patient should expect to experience nasal crusting for about 3 weeks. It’s recommended for the patient to perform nasal irrigations with saline until the tissue is healed.

Do I Need a Turbinate Reduction?

A sinus procedure might not be the course of action for every patient with nasal blockage, but if you’ve had any of the following chronic symptoms that don’t react to medications, you might need a turbinate reduction.

✔ Altered sense of smell

✔ Forehead pressure and facial pain

✔ Chronic nasal congestion

✔ Runny nose

✔ Snoring

What are the Benefits of a Turbinate Reduction Procedure

✔ Improves the ability to breathe through the nose

✔ Reduce nasal drainage and post-nasal drip

✔ Can decrease headaches, snoring, and sleep apnea

✔ no incisions

✔ local anesthesia