The nasal turbinates are swellings inside the nose that are responsible for warming and humidification of air going through the nose. Particular irritants [allergy, environmental pollution] may cause the turbinates to become overly large, causing nasal blockage. The mainstay of reducing turbinate swelling is with nasal sprays. However, occasionally surgery is indicated.

• To reduce the size of the turbinates and improve nasal breathing.
• To reduce mucus production in the nose
• To unblock the nose which may help with snoring.

Many techniques are employed to reduce turbinate swelling and obstruction.  The specific technique is determined by the underlying problem.  Your surgeon will explain fully what is involved but the following techniques are commonly used:

• Turbinectomy: this involves cutting part of the turbinate away.
• Submucosal turbinoplasty: this involves removal of the blood vessels in the turbinate lining, to cause shrinkage.
• Turbinoplasty [SMOFIT] involves repositioning the bone of the turbinate so that the swelling does not affect the airway.

The surgery is carried out under general anaesthesia. Turbinate surgery alone can be carried out as a day case procedure. It is not painful. Initially, there is worsening of the nasal congestion as the nose heals. This may take two weeks to return to normal. Some discharge and crusts from the nose are common. Exercise and flying should be avoided for seven days.

• There is a small risk of a nose bleed requiring admission to hospital.
• Nasal infection is rare but antibiotic cream in the nose or tablets by mouth may be required.
• Persistent crusting in the nose can occur on rare occasions.