Relieve chronic nasal congestion and breathe more freely with turbinate reduction surgery. If you struggle with persistent stuffiness despite medications, this procedure can shrink swollen turbinates and improve airflow. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Christina Magill or Dr. E. Ritter Sansoni today to discuss your personalized treatment plan.
Improve Airflow and Reduce Congestion
Turbinate reduction is a procedure that addresses chronic nasal congestion that makes it difficult for you to breathe through your nose. If your turbinates become persistently swollen due to allergies, irritation, or infection, they can block airflow and may contribute to mouth breathing, poor sleep, snoring, or worsened sinus symptoms, making surgical treatment necessary.
Turbinate reduction reduces excess turbinate tissue while preserving its role in warming, filtering, and humidifying the air you breathe. Your surgeon carefully shrinks or removes targeted tissue to open the nasal airway without compromising nasal health. The goal is to improve airflow, reduce congestion, and help you breathe more comfortably every day.
Turbinate Reduction Surgery Treats:
- Chronic nasal congestion that does not respond to medication
- Persistent nasal obstruction affecting daily breathing
- Swollen or enlarged nasal turbinates (turbinate hypertrophy)
- Post-nasal drip caused by restricted airflow
- Snoring related to nasal blockage
- Breathing difficulties that worsen during sleep
Advantages of Turbinate Reduction Surgery:
- Improves nasal airflow and overall breathing comfort
- Reduces chronic congestion when medications are ineffective
- Helps decrease snoring caused by nasal obstruction
- Preserves normal turbinate function while reducing excess tissue
- Performed as an outpatient procedure with minimal downtime
- Can be safely combined with other nasal surgeries if needed
Turbinate Reduction Surgery FAQs
What are nasal turbinates, and why do they matter?
Nasal turbinates are narrow, curved structures inside your nose that help warm, filter, and humidify the air you breathe. When they are healthy, they play an important role in protecting your lungs and keeping your nasal passages comfortable. However, if your turbinates become chronically swollen, they can block airflow, making it difficult for you to breathe through the nose.
How do I know if turbinate reduction is right for me?
You may be a candidate if you experience ongoing nasal congestion, pressure, or breathing difficulty that does not improve with nasal sprays, allergy medications, or other conservative treatments. Your provider will examine your nose and may use nasal endoscopy to determine whether enlarged turbinates are the main cause of your symptoms.
What happens during turbinate reduction surgery?
During the procedure, your surgeon reduces the size of the turbinate tissue to open your nasal airway. This can be done using several techniques, such as radiofrequency energy, coblation (aka “controlled ablation”), cauterization, or tissue removal beneath the surface lining. The approach is selected based on your anatomy and symptoms.
Is turbinate reduction surgery painful?
Most people report mild discomfort rather than significant pain. You may experience temporary pressure, congestion, or soreness for a few days after the procedure. If turbinate reduction is performed alongside another surgery, such as septoplasty, you may notice slightly more discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medications.
How soon will I notice the results?
Some improvement in breathing may be noticeable within the first few weeks, but swelling during early healing can temporarily affect airflow. As your nose continues to heal over several weeks, breathing usually becomes clearer. Your surgeon will monitor your progress to ensure you are healing as expected.
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Your Consultation
Alaska Facial Plastic Surgery and ENT is home to an elite team dedicated to helping you breathe better and feel your best. Your surgical care team may include Dr. Magill, our double board-certified expert in facial plastic surgery, or Dr. Sansoni, the only fellowship-trained sinus surgeon in Alaska. Our surgeons take a collaborative, patient-first approach to your care to ensure precise diagnosis and thoughtful treatment planning. Schedule a consultation to determine your candidacy for turbinate reduction surgery today.
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