Turbinectomy

Turbinectomy/Turbinoplasty
CT scan of the nose after total bilateral turbinectomy/turbinoplasty
ICD-9-CM	21.6
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Turbinectomy or Turbinoplasty(preserving mucosal layer ) is a surgical procedure, being the removal of tissue, and sometimes bone, of the turbinates in the nasal passage, particularly the inferior nasal concha, generally to relieve nasal obstruction.^[1] In most cases, turbinate hypertrophy is accompanied by some septum deviation, so the surgery is done along with septoplasty.^[2]

Indications[]

A turbinectomy is mainly performed for turbinate hypertrophy, when the turbinates are swollen and enlarged. Many things can contribute to this, including allergies, environmental irritants, a deviated septum, among others.^[3]

Procedure[]

Traditional methods[]

There are many different techniques, such as electrocautery, cryotherapy (cryoturbinectomy), laser vaporization and turbinoplasty. They all require general anesthesia.^[2][4]

Radiofrequency ablation[]

The use of radiofrequency ablation has shown to be a safer alternative procedure, being performed under an outpatient procedure, using lidocaine for local anesthesia. It does not alter epithelial structure or function. It causes no postoperative pain, bleeding, or crusting; although it can cause some temporary nasal blockage or rhinorrhea due to resulting inflammation.^[5]

Complications[]

Empty nose syndrome, which is one form of atrophic rhinitis, is a condition that can develop as a result of turbinate surgery or other surgeries that have an impact on the turbinates. It is a rare condition in which people whose nasal passages are clear following a turbinectomy experience a number of symptoms, including feelings of nasal obstruction, nasal dryness, and crusting, as well as a sensation of being unable to breathe, among others.

See also[]

• Nasal concha
• Nasal obstruction
• Somnoplasty
• Septoplasty

References[]

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