What are the risks of turbinate reduction?

Risks for this surgery are:

• Scar tissue or crusting in the nose.
• A hole in the tissue that divides the sides of the nose (septum)
• Loss of feeling in the skin on the nose.
• Change in the sense of smell.
• Fluid buildup in the nose.
• Return of the nasal blockage after surgery.
• Bleeding.

What should not be done after turbinate reduction?

Recovering From Turbinate Reduction There never really is any pain or problems with your sense of smell when this procedure is performed by Dr. Cohen. Most patients resume normal activity the next day after the procedure, however blowing your nose and exercise are to be avoided for 3 days following the procedure.

What is the success rate of turbinate reduction surgery?

The overall success rate for turbinate reduction is about 82%. While it’s possible for the tissue around your turbinates to grow back eventually, many people find the results of turbinate reduction satisfactory.

How long does it take to recover from turbinate reduction?

Following turbinate reduction, most people can return to work in about a week and go to their usual pre-operative routine in about 3 weeks. Complete recovery can take 1-2 months.

Is a turbinate reduction worth it?

Turbinates are structures in the nose that can cause nasal obstruction when enlarged, inflamed, or infected. By reducing their size, patients experience less frequent episodes of sinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis as well as significantly reduced nasal congestion day and night.

Can turbinates grow back?

The nasal turbinates will never grow back. Many techniques for reducing nasal turbinates exist, such as radiofrequency treatment. However, in a case like this, when the turbinates are very large, the appropriate technique is laser-assisted reduction.

Is turbinate reduction surgery worth it?

In some cases, a reduced turbinate may regrow, requiring a repeat surgery to reduce their size. In most cases, turbinate reductions are successful at opening the airways and making breathing easier.

Why is my nose stuffy after turbinate reduction?

NASAL CONGESTION: A stuffy nose is normal following sinus/nasal surgery due to swelling of the tissues. This may last up to one (1) week after surgery. Nasal congestion may be alleviated by humidification of the nose with a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier.

Do turbinates grow back after reduction?

The reduction will last for the rest of the patient’s life. The nasal turbinates will never grow back. Many techniques for reducing nasal turbinates exist, such as radiofrequency treatment.

Do turbinates grow back?

The nasal turbinates will never grow back. Many techniques for reducing nasal turbinates exist, such as radiofrequency treatment.

Does nose look different after turbinate reduction?

Turbinate reduction can ease breathing, resulting in better sleep, fewer headaches, and clear sinuses. While the turbinates are not seen and do not affect the shape of the nose, some patients who have trouble breathing and a deviated septum may also have enlarged turbinates that can be a contributing factor.

What causes turbinates to enlarge?

The turbinates are thin, bony plates inside your nose. Allergies or a lengthy cold can irritate them and cause them to swell, or enlarge. The swelling makes it hard for you to breathe. Another cause of the swelling is overuse of decongestant nasal sprays.

How do I clean my nose after turbinate surgery?

1. Use salt water (saline) rinses beginning 1 to 2 days after surgery to wash away any crust and surgical debris.
2. Your doctor may recommend that you use a nasal steroid spray 15-30 minutes after using the salt-water rinse.
3. You will need several visits after surgery to clear out old blood and mucus.

How do you unblock your nose after surgery?

You should squirt saline mist spray (e.g. Salinex®, Ocean Saline Nasal Spray) and then place a small dab of either Vaseline® or antibiotic ointment (e.g. polytopic or bacitracin) inside your nose 4-to-6 times a day, beginning on the first day after surgery.

How common is empty nose syndrome after turbinate reduction?

According to research by Dr Houser, about 20 per cent of patients who undergo a total inferior turbinate resection (a rare procedure in which scissors are used to remove the entire turbinate) develop empty nose syndrome.

Can turbinates grow back after reduction?

Why do turbinates swell at night?

The mucous membrane that covers the turbinates can shrink or swell in response to changes in blood flow. Things that alter blood flow such as lying down, certain foods, allergies, medications, hormones, and infections can affect blood flow and therefore cause swelling of the turbinates.

Can you drink through a straw after nose surgery?

FOR TWO WEEKS FOLLOWING SURGERY: No nose blowing. If you have to cough or sneeze, make sure your mouth is open. No drinking from a straw.

Should I worry about empty nose syndrome?

Empty Nose Syndrome is therefore a disease that must be taken seriously in physical, psychological and emotional terms, since the nose’s functionality is severely limited. The nose’s functions allow for both natural nasal breathing and healthy lung function. This in turn influences physical and general well-being.

Is empty nose syndrome serious?

Empty nose syndrome is a rare disorder affecting the nose and nasal passages. People with this condition will have normal-appearing, clear nasal passages, yet they will experience a wide range of symptoms.

Can you live with swollen turbinates?

Colds and Infections – Cold or infection may cause congestion due to enlarged turbinates. In most cases, the turbinates will return to their normal size after recovery. However, in some instances such as chronic sinusitis, the enlargement may be permanent.

How do I clean my nose after turbinate reduction?

Use salt water (saline) rinses beginning 1 to 2 days after surgery to wash away any crust and surgical debris. Use the Neil Med® Saline Rinse in the bottle to squirt the solution into your nose a few times a day.

How long do you have to sleep upright after nose surgery?

The length of time you’ll need to sleep with your head elevated after rhinoplasty will depend on the specifics of your surgery, as well as other personal factors. On average, most patients should expect to sleep upright for at least 7 – 10 days after rhinoplasty. During your postoperative follow-up appointment, Dr.

What is microdebrider-assisted turbinate reduction?

Technological innovations in rhinology surgery have led to the development of powered microdebriders that have been used in turbinate surgery since the 1990s. The goal of microdebrider-assisted turbinate reduction is to excise the erectile soft tissue of the inferior turbinate while preserving the overlying mucosa.

What are the side effects of a turbinate reduction?

For about three weeks, you may experience crusting or nose dryness. Using nasal saline irrigation and antibiotic ointment during this time can help control these side effects. Side effects for more invasive turbinate reduction procedures involving removal of bone or tissue are more likely and can be more severe.

How much does turbinate reduction cost without insurance?

With insurance, it may cost half that or less, or could be free, depending on your health plan. More invasive turbinate reduction procedures that involve bone or tissue removal in addition to a septoplasty may cost between $800 and $10,000 without insurance. Turbinate reduction only is about half that price.

What are the surgical complications of a turbinectomy?

Surgical complications of turbinectomies include scarring, dryness in your nasal passages, crusting of the nose and bleeding. According to ObstructedNose.com, approximately 10 percent of turbinectomy patients experience bleeding so severe that it requires hospitalization.