You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
CTDetailNew
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
Appointment
Find a Condition or Treatment
Find a Doctor
Menu
MAIN
Back to Home
About KKH
Corporate Profile
Newsroom
Procurement
Volunteering at KKH
Calendar of Events
Contact Us
Patient Care
Conditions & Treatments
Areas of Care
Your Clinic Visit
Your Hospital Stay
E-Services
Visitor Information
Research
KK Research Centre
Our Researchers
Clinical Trials
Publications
SingHealth Research
Innovation
About
Collaboration
Technology Transfer
Success Stories
Contact Us
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Residency
Continuing Education
Training & Fellowships
Events & Courses
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Why Choose Us
Career Choices
Job Opportunities
Scholarships & Sponsorships
Contact Us
Giving
Why Give
Get Involved
Your Gift at Work
Be Informed
Make a Gift
Conditions & Treatments
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatment
Find a Doctor
Medicines
Areas of Care
Back to Home
Find a Doctor
Women's Services
Children's Services
Allied Health Specialties
Nursing
Teleconsultation
Support Groups
Patient Education
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Your Clinic Visit
Back to Home
Before Your Visit
Appointment Day
During Your Visit
Going Home
Your Hospital Stay
Back to Home
Pre-Admission
Admission Day
During Your Stay
Going Home
Ward Virtual Tour
KKH@Home
E-Services
Back to Home
Patient Billing Services
Make Your Payment Online
Make/Change Appointment
Financial Counselling Online
Estimated Bill Calculators
MediSave Maternity Package Claims
Request for Final Bill
Request For Medical Report Online
Health Buddy App
Visitor Information
Back to Home
Directions to KKH
Directions to KKH@Halifax
Directions to KKH Children's Emergency & Urgent O&G Centre
Moving around KKH
Visitor Registration
Amenities & Facilities
Contact Us
Home
to skip to the main content on a page
to skip to the main content on a page
About KKH
Back to Home
Corporate Profile
About KKH
Vision and Mission
Hospital Leadership
Medical Strengths
Awards & Accreditations
Hospital Milestones
Medical Highlights
Clinical Outcomes
Personal Data Protection Act
Social Media @ KKH
Newsroom
Press Releases
News Articles
Special Delivery
Procurement
Volunteering at KKH
Calendar of Events
Contact Us
Appointments
Key Contacts
Medical Report
Compliments
Feedback and Enquiries
Check Fake News
In a Contingency
Patient Care
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatments
Conditions & Treatment
Find a Doctor
Medicines
Areas of Care
Find a Doctor
Women's Services
Children's Services
Allied Health Specialties
Nursing
Teleconsultation
Support Groups
Patient Education
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Your Clinic Visit
Before Your Visit
Appointment Day
During Your Visit
Going Home
Your Hospital Stay
Pre-Admission
Admission Day
During Your Stay
Going Home
Ward Virtual Tour
KKH@Home
E-Services
Patient Billing Services
Make Your Payment Online
Make/Change Appointment
Financial Counselling Online
Estimated Bill Calculators
MediSave Maternity Package Claims
Request for Final Bill
Request For Medical Report Online
Health Buddy App
Visitor Information
Directions to KKH
Directions to KKH@Halifax
Directions to KKH Children's Emergency & Urgent O&G Centre
Moving around KKH
Visitor Registration
Amenities & Facilities
Contact Us
Research
Back to Home
KK Research Centre
Our Researchers
Clinical Trials
Publications
SingHealth Research
Innovation
Back to Home
About
Collaboration
Technology Transfer
Success Stories
Contact Us
Education & Training
Back to Home
Undergraduate
Residency
Continuing Education
Training & Fellowships
Allied Health Specialties
Medical
Nursing
Events & Courses
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Back to Home
Why Choose Us
Career Choices
Doctors
Nurses
Allied Health Professionals
Management and Administration
Ancillary and Support
Job Opportunities
Scholarships & Sponsorships
Contact Us
Giving
Back to Home
Why Give
Finding a Cure
Advancing Medical Education
Helping Our Patients
Appreciating Your Support
Furthering Donor Impact
Get Involved
Make a Donation
Make an in-kind Donation
Create a Named Fund
Honour a Healthcare Hero
Your Gift at Work
Meet Grateful Patients
Meet Donors Like You
Meet Our Researchers
Be Informed
Make a Gift
Home
>
Patient Care
>
Conditions and Treatment
>
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery
Facebook
WhatsApp
Email Us
share
Font Resize
A-
A
A+
Print
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery – Conditions & Treatments | SGH
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery - What it is
The inferior turbinates are structures which protrude into the breathing passages of the nose. Well-sized turbinates provide necessary resistance and humidify the air we inhale. Turbinates can become enlarged as a result of allergies or infection and cause nasal obstruction.
Inferior turbinate reduction surgery aims to reduce the size of the inferior turbinates, either by using minimally invasive radiofrequency techniques, or surgical excision.
This procedure is typically performed:
If you suffer from nasal obstruction to increase your nasal airflow.
To facilitate the administration of nasal medication for treatment of allergic rhinitis.
To facilitate the use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
This procedure is not used to treat the symptoms of running nose or sneezing caused by allergic rhinitis.
What does it involve?
Inferior turbinate reduction can be performed by the following techniques/methods:
1. Radiofrequency or Coblation turbinate reduction are minimally invasive procedures. Radiofrequency delivers heat within the tissue of the turbinate while coblation combines radiofrequency energy with saline to create a plasma field. Both methods create a targeted area of coagulation and reduce tissue volume with minimal impact to surrounding tissues. If performed as a single procedure, the procedure will be performed as a day-surgery procedure and you will be awake throughout the procedure. After local anaesthesia is administered using a nasal spray and injection, a handheld needle probe is directed through the nostrils into the turbinates before radiofrequency energy is released several times along the length of the turbinate. This technique may have to be repeated 2 – 3 times in the future to achieve its desired outcome (another consent will be taken).
2. Inferior turbinoplasty or Turbinectomy is a surgical procedure which either partially or completely excises the inferior turbinate using instruments such as small knives, scissors, or powered instruments, guided by a telescope or nasal speculum through the nostril. This procedure is done under general anaesthesia. Nasal packs may be placed in each nostril for one to two days after the procedure to control bleeding, and you will have to breathe through your mouth during this time.
Common risks and complications:
Bleeding (1-10%)
After surgery, it is normal to have some blood-stained discharge from the nose and this usually resolves within two weeks. Occasionally, additional measures such as nasal packing or surgery may be needed to control excessive bleeding. Substantial bleeding requiring transfusion and further surgery is rare.
Persistent nasal obstruction
Persistent nasal obstruction due to deviation of the cartilage and bone separating the nose and ongoing poorly controlled allergic rhinitis may limit the outcome of surgery. Recurrence of nasal obstruction due to increase in turbinate tissue may occur after 6 months, particularly using radiofrequency or coblation techniques. It is presently not possible to reliably predict whether such a recurrence will occur and the patient will have to monitor his/her condition.
Crusting
Crusting in the nose may last for about two to six weeks after surgery due to hardening of nasal discharge and dried blood. Prolonged crusting is rare; however, it can occur and may last up to one year. Crusting is usually reduced by the use of humidification and saline nasal spray.
Scarring
If the procedure is done together with a septoplasty, scar tissue may form between the septum and turbinate. Further surgery may be needed.
Uncommon risks and complications:
Empty nose syndrome and dry nose
Over resection of the turbinate may result in dry nose and ‘empty nose syndrome’ in which there is persistent sensation of nasal obstruction after surgery despite adequate airflow. This is believed to be due to loss of airflow turbulence within the nasal cavity and reduced airflow sensation. This complication is rare.
Infection
Though infection is rare, it is a risk with any surgical procedure. If infection does occur, usually it can be treated with antibiotics. Rarely, drainage is required if an abscess develops.
Altered sense of smell
Nasal surgery may alter your sense of smell, and consequently, your appreciation of tastes. This is usually temporary due to postoperative swelling and nasal crusting and improves with healing. Rarely will there be a permanent severe loss of smell.
Injury to surrounding structures
The nasal septum, middle turbinates and tubal tonsils are nearby structures that may get injured during the course of the surgery. These injuries are usually mild and self-limiting.
Duration of Surgery
Approximately: 1-2 hours
Duration of Hospital Stay
Average: 1-2 days
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery - Symptoms
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery - How to prevent?
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery - Causes and Risk Factors
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery - Diagnosis
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery - Treatments
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery - Preparing for surgery
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery - Post-surgery care
Nasal packing
After surgery, your nose may be packed with sponges to prevent bleeding. If there is packing in your nose, you would not be able to breathe through your nose and will have to breathe through your mouth instead. You may also experience tearing due to blockage of the duct linking the eyes and nose. The packs are usually removed within 24-48 hours of the surgery and the symptoms should go away after the packs are removed. You may expect some blood-stained discharge from the nose in small quantities within the first week after surgery and a gauze dressing can be worn under the nostrils to capture these secretions.
Nasal rinse
In certain cases, it may also be necessary to regularly rinse the nose with a nasal douche as prescribed by the doctor. Crust formed in nose cavity after surgery can irritate the nasal mucosa and cause inflammation. The nasal rinse can help to remove the crust and minimize clots forming in nose cavities after nose surgery.
Inferior Turbinate Reduction Surgery - Other Information
Overview
Tags:
Rhinitis
Article contributed by
Head & Neck Surgery
,
Singapore General Hospital
The information provided is not intended as medical advice.
Terms of use
. Information provided by
Our Breast Team
Filter:
By designation or sub-specialty
By Designation:
By Sub-Specialty:
TOP
Related Conditions
Rhinitis
View more
Related Medicine
Healthy Living Tips
by
View more
Discover articles,videos, and guides afrom Singhealth's resources across the web. These information are collated, making healthy living much easier for everyone.
Braces How to Take Care
Festive Feasting How to Avoid Overeating
Post-Stroke Exercises (Lower Limb Strength Training)
Post-Stroke Exercises (Upper Limb Strength Training)
×
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox...
Find a Doctor
Condition & Treatment
Home
Appointment
E-services