What are the benefits?

You should get relief from a blocked nose.

Are there any alternatives?

If your turbinates are enlarged because of rhinitis, your doctor may be able to give you steroid nasal sprays, decongestants or antihistamines to improve your symptoms of a blocked nose.

Surgery is recommended only if medication has not worked.

What will happen if I decide not to have the procedure?

Your nose will continue to feel blocked. It is possible that your turbinates will shrink naturally over time.

What does the procedure involve?

The procedure is performed through your nostrils and does not result in any facial scars or black eyes.

The procedure is usually performed under a general anaesthetic but a local anaesthetic can be used. The procedure usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Reducing the size of the turbinates usually involves one of the following techniques:

• Diathermy – Passing an electric current through a needle placed either on the surface of the turbinate or inside the tissue.
• Trimming – Cutting away the lower or outer part of the turbinate. This may also involve removing some of the turbinate bone and rolling some of the remaining tissue over the raw area.

Your surgeon may place some packing in your nose to prevent bleeding.

How can I prepare myself for the procedure?

If you smoke, stopping smoking now may reduce your risk of developing complications and will improve your long-term health.

Smoking stops your nose clearing mucus properly and this can increase the feeling of a blocked nose.

Try to maintain a healthy weight. You have a higher risk of developing complications if you are overweight.

Regular exercise should help you prepare for the procedure, help you recover and improve your long-term health. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Speak to the healthcare team about any vaccinations you may need to reduce your risk of serious illness while you recover. When you come into hospital, practise hand washing and wear a face covering when asked.

What complications can happen?

The healthcare team are trained to reduce the risk of complications.

Any risk rates given are taken from studies of people who have had this procedure. Your doctor may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for you. Some risks are higher if you are older, obese, have other health problems or you smoke. Health problems include diabetes, heart disease or lung disease.

Possible complications of this procedure are shown below. Some can be serious and may even cause death.

General complications of any procedure

• Bleeding soon after the procedure or a week to 10 days later. If the bleeding is heavy, you may need a blood transfusion.
• Infection of the surgical site (wound).
• Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.
• Venous thromboembolism (VTE) — this is a blood clot in your leg (deep-vein thrombosis - DVT) or one that has moved to your lung (pulmonary embolus).
• Chest infection — your risk will be lower if you have stopped smoking and you are free of Covid-19 (coronavirus) symptoms for at least 7 weeks before the procedure.

Specific complications of this procedure

• Scar tissue connecting the turbinate to your septum.
• Crusting in your nose.
• Increased nasal discharge.
• Atrophic rhinitis, if too much tissue is removed.
• Toxic shock syndrome, which is an infection of your bloodstream.
• Damage to your tear duct causing your eye to become watery.
• Change in sense of smell.
• The problem coming back. You may need another procedure to fix it.

Consequences of this procedure

• Pain.

What happens after the procedure?

You should be able to go home the same day.

If you had non-dissolvable packing in your nose, you will need to stay overnight and the packing will be removed the next morning.

You will need to stay off work and away from groups of people for 2 weeks. This is to avoid catching a cold, which could result in an infection.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Most people make a full recovery and can return to normal activities.

Summary

The inferior turbinates can sometimes become permanently enlarged and block your nose. Surgery should relieve your symptoms.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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