Turbinate Reduction

Turbinate reduction is performed to relieve the symptoms caused by enlarged turbinates, which can include congestion, runny nose, snoring, nosebleeds, and trouble breathing.

Turbinate Reduction: Breathe Easy

Everyone deserves to breathe easily. If you’re suffering from the symptoms of enlarged turbinates, Upper East Side ENT doctor Dr. Shari Reitzen offers many options for turbinate reduction to help get you breathing functionally once again.

Symptoms of Enlarged Turbinates

Congestion
Runny nose
Snoring
Nasal drainage
Nosebleeds
Trouble breathing
Trouble sleeping due to congestion

What is the Function of Turbinates?

Turbinates are essentially our body’s humidifier: they help to purify the air that flows through the nose, adding warm, moist heat to the air that enters with every breath. These turbinates are shelf-like structures on the inside of the nose that contain bone and are covered by a lining of mucous. They are very susceptible to allergies and irritation, which can cause them to become swollen (enlarged), leading to a wide range of issues.

Causes of Enlarged Turbinates

Allergies
A persistent cold
Sinus infections
Congenital conditions
Some medications
Allergic rhinitis
Non-allergic rhinitis
Chronic rhinosinusitis
Lying down
Aging
Certain foods
Hormones
Irritants in the environment (e.g., cigarette smoke)
Overuse of decongestant nasal sprays

Why Choose Dr. Reitzen for Turbinate Reduction?

With a focus on restoring optimal breathing function, Shari Reitzen, MD puts her patients first and closely listens to achieve their desired results and improve their quality of life. As a double board-certified reconstructive and plastic surgeon and an experienced ENT doctor, her goal is to restore functionality as safely and effectively as possible for each patient. If you are in the Tribeca or Upper East Side area and you’re suffering from the symptoms of enlarged turbinates, we encourage you to contact us to book a consultation with Dr. Reitzen.

Treatment Options for Enlarged Turbinates

Medical Treatment

Often, the first course of action to address enlarged turbinates is to reduce swelling with medication. This can include decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal steroids. The ideal medication for you will be selected after Dr. Reitzen has heard your symptoms and assessed your enlarged turbinates.

Cautery

Cautery uses heat to reduce the mucosal lining back to its normal size. In this procedure, a heated probe is positioned within the nose, where the heat causes some of the turbinate blood vessels to clot and close off. These changes in blood flow reduce the tissue, thereby returning the enlarged turbinates to their correct size.

Turbinoplasty

If the enlarged turbinates are not responding to medications and other procedures, a turbinoplasty (also called “inferior turbinate reduction”) may be the best option. A turbinoplasty is an outpatient procedure that is performed in an operating suite under general anesthesia. Some procedures may be able to be performed in the office under local anesthesia. The goal is to create a larger air passageway so that you can breathe more easily. A turbinoplasty usually takes 15-20 minutes when performed as a stand-alone surgery. Stitches are not required for a turbinoplasty.

There are several types of turbinoplasty:

Radiofrequency Turbinoplasty: This is a minimally invasive procedure. A thin probe is inserted into the enlarged turbinate, where it delivers low-temperature radiofrequency to shrink part of the turbinate. This process is repeated until the turbinate becomes smaller.
Microdebrider Turbinoplasty: A microdebrider is a surgical tool that uses suction to pull in the enlarged submucosal tissue of the turbinate, then shaves it down using multiple passes. After this has been done, the turbinate begins to form scar tissue, which prevents the mucosal lining from swelling again.
Partial Inferior Turbinectomy: In this procedure, the lower third of the enlarged turbinate is cut and removed. A partial inferior turbinectomy is typically only used if the radiofrequency turbinoplasty and microdebrider turbinoplasty are not successful.
Fracture Turbinoplasty: A tool is used to push or micro-fracture the turbinate to a more lateral or flattened position against the wall of the nose. This allows more airflow within the center of the nose. At times, this may be performed by the use of a balloon.

Balloon Turbinoplasty

Learn more about the Acclarent RELIEVATRACT Procedural Animation

“Brilliant. On time. Fast. Listened. Explained everything. Solved the problem. Can’t ask for much more than that.”

Chris S.

Recovery

Your recovery length after turbinate reduction will depend on the type of procedure you underwent and if general anesthesia was used. During your consultation with Dr. Reitzen, she can let you know more details regarding your recovery once the technique for turbinate reduction is determined.

During recovery, avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 1-2 weeks. You can expect some crusting or draining in the following few days after surgery; however, if you experience excessive bleeding, please contact us. You may also have some congestion that lasts about one week.

Once you have healed from your procedure, you will find that you can breathe much more easily.

FAQ

Does insurance cover surgery for enlarged turbinates?

Can other procedures be performed at the same time as turbinate reduction?

Does insurance cover surgery for enlarged turbinates?

For the majority of enlarged turbinate cases in which medications are not having success, health insurance covers the cost of surgery. However, every insurance carrier is different, so you should contact your insurance company to double-check.

Can other procedures be performed at the same time as turbinate reduction?

Yes, other procedures can be performed at the same time as a turbinate reduction. Conditions such as a deviated septum, nasal polyps, enlarged adenoids, etc. are frequently addressed alongside enlarged turbinates. During your consultation with Dr. Reitzen, she will go over all your options for combined procedures.

Turbinate Reduction

Turbinate Reduction: Breathe Easy

Symptoms of Enlarged Turbinates

What is the Function of Turbinates?

Causes of Enlarged Turbinates

Why Choose Dr. Reitzen for Turbinate Reduction?

Treatment Options for Enlarged Turbinates

Medical Treatment

Cautery

Turbinoplasty

Balloon Turbinoplasty

“Brilliant. On time. Fast. Listened. Explained everything. Solved the problem. Can’t ask for much more than that.”

Recovery

FAQ

Does insurance cover surgery for enlarged turbinates?

Can other procedures be performed at the same time as turbinate reduction?

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