Turbinoplasty — Procedure Guide, Recovery & Risks | MyMedicPlus

Turbinoplasty (turbinate reduction) reduces the size of the hypertrophied inferior nasal turbinates, which obstruct nasal airflow when chronically enlarged. Techniques include submucosal resection, microdebrider-assisted reduction, and radiofrequency ablation.

Indicated for chronic nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy unresponsive to at least 3 months of medical management including topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, and decongestants. Often performed together with septoplasty for combined nasal obstruction.

Under general or local anaesthesia with sedation, the turbinate mucosa or submucosal tissue is reduced using a powered microdebrider, radiofrequency energy probe, or submucosal resection technique. The mucosal surface is preserved where possible to avoid atrophic rhinitis.

Nasal packing may be placed for 24–48 hours. Expect nasal congestion, crusting, and mild bleeding for 2–4 weeks. Saline nasal irrigations 2–3 times daily aid mucosal healing. Full benefit is typically felt at 4–6 weeks when healing is complete.

Risks include bleeding, infection, excessive nasal dryness (atrophic rhinitis if over-resected), reduced sense of smell, adhesion formation (synechia between turbinate and septum), and symptom recurrence requiring revision surgery in 10–20% of cases.

Over 75% of patients report significant improvement in nasal airflow. Microdebrider and radiofrequency techniques have lower recurrence rates than simple outfracture. Symptomatic benefits are sustained at 2–5 years in most patients.