A probe delivers heat generated from high frequency alternating current to destroy the turbinate. Corticosteroid Injection. A needle is used to inject corticosteroids directly into the inferior turbinate, often with great success. Call Eastern Carolina ENT Head & Neck Surgery at 252-752-5227 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Full Answer
What is radiofrequency turbinate reduction and how does it work?
Radiofrequency turbinate reduction is a procedure in which a needle-like instrument is inserted into the turbinate and energy is transmitted to the tissue to cause a controlled damage, so by the time healing process occurs, the turbinates will be reduced, allowing improved airflow through the nose.
What is the success rate for turbinate reduction?
The overall success rate for turbinate reduction is about 82%. While it’s possible for the tissue around your turbinates to grow back eventually, many people find the results of turbinate reduction satisfactory.
When is turbinate reduction surgery indicated?
Turbinate reduction surgery is usually indicated when nasal obstruction leads to congestion, post-nasal drip, sleep apnea or other breathing disorders. What happens during turbinate reduction surgery?
What is a turbinate in the nose?
Turbinates are small structures inside the nose that cleanse and humidify air that passes through the nostrils into the lungs. They are made by a bony structure surrounded by vascular tissue and a mucous membrane outside, and can become swollen and inflamed by allergies, irritation or infection, causing nasal obstruction ...
Is a turbinate reduction worth it?
Turbinates are structures in the nose that can cause nasal obstruction when enlarged, inflamed, or infected. By reducing their size, patients experience less frequent episodes of sinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis as well as significantly reduced nasal congestion day and night.
Is radiofrequency turbinate reduction painful?
Patients report mild nasal discomfort and congestion a few to several days following turbinate radiofrequency reduction. When patients do experience nasal pain following the procedure, it is usually well controlled with prescription strength oral pain medications (Vicodin, Tylenol #3).
Can turbinate reduction be done in office?
Many patients are candidates for a minimally- invasive, office-based procedure to reduce the inferior turbinates. This office-based option, known as radiofrequency reduction, is performed under topical and local anesthesia (numbing solution placed into the nose followed by injection of lidocaine).
What is the best method for turbinate reduction?
BEST PRACTICE Of conventional inferior turbinate reduction techniques, submucosal resection combined with lateral displacement is the most effective at decreasing nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy.
Does Flonase shrink turbinates?
Abstract. Conclusion: Fluticasone propionate (FP) aqueous nasal spray was objectively found to be effective and safe for the treatment of lower turbinate enlargement in patients with vasomotor rhinitis.
How can I reduce turbinates without surgery?
These are the non-surgical treatments we use:Nasal or oral steroid sprays.Nasal or oral antihistamines.Nasal saline sprays or high volume irrigations.Oral decongestants (not nasal decongestants, as these, can often allow relapse as soon as the medication is stopped)
Is turbinate surgery covered by insurance?
Rhinoplasty is considered cosmetic surgery and is therefore not covered by insurance. However, if you have breathing issues due to a deviated nasal septum, valve collapse, or turbinate hypertrophy, a portion of your nose surgery may be covered by insurance.
Can turbinates grow back after reduction?
The reduction will last for the rest of the patient's life. The nasal turbinates will never grow back. Many techniques for reducing nasal turbinates exist, such as radiofrequency treatment.
How do you get rid of enlarged turbinates?
Treatment for Turbinate Hypertrophy If your turbinates are swollen, your doctor may prescribe medication (e.g., nasal corticosteroid and nasal antihistamine sprays) to reduce the swelling. If enlarged inferior turbinates are causing your nasal obstruction, surgery may be the recommended treatment.
What is the success rate of turbinate reduction surgery?
At 1 month postoperatively the overall success rate, as defined by patient satisfaction, was 82%, but this declined steadily with time to 60% at 3 months, 54% at 1 year and 41% at 1-16 years. There was no significant difference found in the success rates between methods of turbinate reduction used.
What causes nasal turbinates to enlarge?
The turbinates are thin, bony plates inside your nose. Allergies or a lengthy cold can irritate them and cause them to swell, or enlarge. The swelling makes it hard for you to breathe. Another cause of the swelling is overuse of decongestant nasal sprays.
Why do turbinates swell at night?
The main symptom of enlarged inferior turbinates is nasal obstruction. The nasal obstruction may be present all of the time or alternatively present mainly at night when you lies down. The inferior turbinates undergo swelling when you lie down which causes the turbinates to enlarge in size and then block the nose.
What is a turbinate?
Turbinates are small structures inside the nose that cleanse and humidify air that passes through the nostrils into the lungs. They are made by a bony structure surrounded by vascular tissue and a mucous membrane outside, and can become swollen and inflamed by allergies, irritation or infection, ...
How long after turbinate reduction can you exercise?
Airflow after turbinate reduction. We recommend 1 day out of work and 2 days without strenuous exercising after the turbinate reduction. Although rare, risks include bleeding and infection, and should be taken into consideration. Conditions Treated Procedures.
How long does it take to recover from a syringe?
It is an office procedure, performed under local anesthesia, and it takes about 10 minutes. Usually there's no pain on the recovery process, no change on the physical aspect and no long-term side effects, such as loss on olfactory perception.