Turbinate Reduction Surgery Explained

My Los Angeles sinus surgery practice focuses on the relief of chronic conditions such as sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, deviated septum, and enlarged turbinates. The turbinates tend to prompt the most questions from my patients.

What are turbinates? They are thin, elongated bones inside the nose which help warm and direct airflow. These bones are covered in tissue which can become inflamed, cutting off air and increasing pressure and sensitivity during illness.

Chronically enlarged turbinates may need to be treated surgically to reduce the incidence of these symptoms. That surgery can take any one of a few forms, all designed to reduce the volume of inflamed tissue:

Turbinectomy: The turbinates are removed completely, or else a section is removed via endoscope.

Turbinoplasty: The turbinates are repositioned to improve airflow. Also known as an outfracture, the procedure may be combined with the removal of some excess tissue via endoscope.

Laser ablation: A different way to remove tissue, performed by targeting a very small laser at the tissue to be removed.

Depending on your history, health and anatomy, your Los Angeles sinus surgeon will recommend the most effective course of turbinate reduction surgery. If your troubles can be traced to these structures in your nose, the surgery should clear them up.