Turbinate reduction surgery is a common procedure used by otolaryngology specialists. The procedure can be done alone and with a combination of treatments as well. This surgical procedure is opted to improve chronic nasal congestion. When your nasal congestion is affected through irritated lining inside the nose, then it sets off a reaction of inflammation, swelling, and production of mucus.

As a consequence, it makes it hard for an individual to take air through the nose. Therefore, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists recommend turbinate reduction surgery to enhance the airflow in people with chronic nasal obstruction.

In this procedure, the surgeon reduces the size of turbinates by removing excess tissues, through the help of different techniques. Turbinate reduction surgery process is also called nasal turbinates reduction and its success rate is 87%. It is an outpatient procedure, which only takes 10 minutes for the completion. Hence, a patient can return to daily life on the same day.

Advantages of Turbinate Reduction Surgery

Following are the benefits of having nasal turbinate reduction surgery:

Outpatient procedure
Improve breathing
Reduce snoring
Overcome nasal allergies
Reduce headache problem
Improve quality of sleep
Uplift well-being

Risks and Side Effects

Although nasal turbinate reduction is a safe procedure. However, there can be some potential risks and side effects, which include:

Dryness
Regrowth
Temporary loss of smell
Empty nose syndrome
Bleeding
Infection
Adhesion
Recurrence of blockage
Unnecessary fluid buildup

Diagnosis and Physical Tests

A healthcare provider does a physical examination to identify whether you need turbinate reduction surgery or not. The doctor does a nasal endoscopy diagnostic test to examine the inside of your nose, and after that, determine the surgery process.

Turbinate reduction surgery is mostly indicated when nasal obstruction leads to congestion, sleep apnea, and breathing problems while sleeping. Medical experts often prescribe nasal sprays and antihistamines as an initial treatment. When these treatments fail or aren’t working well for you then a doctor recommends nasal turbinate reduction surgery.

Pre-Consultation for Turbinate Reduction Surgery

Here mentioned some preparation tips you need to follow before the nasal reduction surgery:

A Doctor Consultation: Consult with a good experienced otolaryngology specialist, with the help of consultation you get specific instructions about what medicines you should take and avoid. It will also aid you to recognize when to stop drinking and eating right before the surgery.
Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol also quit chewing tobacco before 4 weeks of the surgery. Indulging in these activities can raise complications according to the doctors.
Avoid Drugs: One must avoid taking drugs like marijuana 1 week before the surgery.
Follow Healthy and Sleep Well: According to the suggestion of the doctor a person, who is going for nasal turbinate surgery must take a healthy diet and also get 8 hours quality sleep.

Nasal Turbinate Reduction Procedures & Their Costs

Turbinate reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia, either in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center. In most cases, the procedure is performed the same day, and its cost range is INR 87,000. However, this is the estimated cost, the final price of the surgery may vary depending on several factors such as surgeon fees, hospital type, medicine costs, and many more. Additionally, in the process, an operating surgeon discards or shrinks turbinate tissue by using various techniques that are mentioned below:

Cauterization: A warm probe is planted under your nose to close off a few of the blood vessels in the turbinates. As a result, it reduces blood flow, which successfully helps to shrink the turbinate tissues inside your nose.
Radio-Frequency Turbinate Reduction: In this technique, a surgeon put a long, thin probe with the help of radio-frequency ablation, which delivers heat energy to the inflamed turbinate in the nose.
Coblation: Coblation is also similar to radio-frequency ablation, it uses heat energy to reduce the turbinate tissues. However, it uses lower temperature as compared to radio-frequency. It is used to keep the surrounding tissues intact.
Microdebrider Submucosal Resection: In this procedure, a surgeon makes a tiny opening in your turbinate and removes tissues through that opening. However, he left the outer lining in place so as you recover your turbinate gets shrunk.
Partial Resection: This technique involves removing a small piece of the turbinate unlike the ways that are mentioned above. Additionally, a doctor removes both hard and soft tissues in this process.

Recovery From TRS

After the surgical procedure, a doctor tells you to follow post-operative instructions for better recovery. These guidelines include:

If you experience discomfort for a few days after the procedure, take prescribed medications to ease your discomfort.
Crusting may also develop on the nose due to nasal discharge that occurs while turbinate heals. Crusting can last for 2 to 3 weeks. For this, you can use saline nasal spray or cool mist humidifier, and can apply petroleum jelly on your nose.
While having a bath and cleaning your face, do not put pressure on your nose and carefully clean your nose part.
If you caught nausea or viral infections, immediately consult with a doctor.
If you follow all these instructions, then you can return to your routine life in 2 to 3 days after the surgery.