Thickening of the mucous membrane of the nasal turbinate can result in shortness of breath and the development of sinusitis
When standard treatment methods such as drops or sprays do not help, surgery to reduce the nasal turbinate is considered the last step in treating the problem of thickened mucous membranes.
The nasal turbinate are relatively large, mucous-lined anatomical bone structures located in the nasal cavity. There are three pairs of nasal turbinate – lower, middle and upper, and their role is to filter, clean, heat and humidify the air we breathe.
Thickening of the mucous membrane of the nasal turbinate can result in shortness of breath and the development of sinusitis. In addition to inflammatory infections, the thickening of the nasal mucosa also makes the tissue much more sensitive, which makes it more prone to the influence of allergens and the development of chronic allergies.
When standard treatment methods such as drops or sprays do not help, surgery to reduce the nasal turbinate is considered the last step in treating the problem of thickened mucous membranes.
Nasal turbinate surgery is a method of reducing the mucous membrane on the nasal turbinate. This procedure increases the free breathing space and reduces the sensitivity of the nasal tissue.
The surgery is minimally invasive and recovery is relatively quick and without major complications.
This method can be done in several ways. For many years, the traditional surgical method was used, which could cause major complications after surgery, and today this procedure has been adapted using laser, radiofrequency and new plasma technology.
Regardless of the method, the principle of operation is the same – reduce the mucous membrane or even remove one part of the bone so that your nasal cavity is passable and you can breathe normally through your nose.
The procedure can also be performed under sedation, local or general anesthesia, but due to less trauma for the person, short sedation or general anesthesia is more often used.
There are various techniques through which the operation to shrink the nasal turbinate is performed:
This is one of the more traditional methods of shrinking the nasal turbinate.
This method works on the principle of making an incision along the entire lower nasal turbinate. The incision removes part of the mucous membrane, which gives more free space.
This method is similar to resection, but instead of an incision with scissors, the mucous membrane is scraped and removed until enough space is created.
This type of surgery is performed using the ablation method, but only the submucosa is removed during this procedure. The submucosa is a part of the tissue that is located under the mucosa, and in the case of the nasal turbinate, the submucosa is the main culprit for which the thickening appeared in the first place.
This procedure is performed by inserting a probe into the nasal turbinate that emits laser radiation or thermal energy from a radio frequency apparatus or plasma apparatus.
The probe bypasses the area of the sensitive mucosa, and by emitting energy, the submucosal tissue dies and the nasal turbinate spontaneously shrinks. By using this technique, the operation is faster and simpler, requires fewer incisions and ultimately causes fewer complications.
Before the operation of the nasal turbinate, it is necessary to perform several diagnostic examinations to determine the severity of your problem and create a plan and procedure in advance.
Of the diagnostic examinations, we most often perform:
An ENT examination checks the functionality and health of the ear, throat and nose.
With this test, we compare the difference between the patency of the left and right nostrils. Based on the results, we can assess the severity of the disorder.
With a flexible endoscope, we observe the nasal cavity and the structure of bone and cartilage tissue in detail.
We use a CT scan to recognize the structure and thickening of the nasal turbinate.
Anesthesia is used during the procedure, so in consultation with a team of specialists, you will fill out a form in which you agree to use anesthesia during the operation.
A few days before surgery, avoid consuming blood-thinning tablets (anticoagulants) such as Andol and Aspirin. If you have problems with blood clotting, be sure to let us know so that we can adapt to you in terms of performing the procedure.
Before the operation, you sit on a chair like at a dentist, and your head is slightly thrown back for better access to the nose. After you are seated, you are given anesthesia and the surgeon waits a few minutes for the anesthesia to take effect.. If it is general anesthesia, you will sink into an unconscious state and you will not remember the procedure. When the anesthesia begins to work, a probe is inserted into the nasal turbinate and thermal or laser energy is emitted at several points within the submucosa. The radiation and heat caused destroy the tissue under the mucous membrane and it shrinks over time, making the airways passable.
Minor bleeding may follow after the removal of the probe, but it does not last long because it is stopped by applying a tampon in the nose.
If the surgery is done properly, there is minimal chance of complications. Bleeding and increased secretion is normal, but does not last more than a few days.
To stop bleeding after surgery, we give you tampons that you wear for 2 days.
A week after surgery, you can resume your daily activities, but without too much strain.
After just a few weeks, you will feel changes in your breathing through your nose, your airways will finally be passable, and symptoms such as headaches or poor sleep will become a thing of the past.
If you experience pain after surgery, you should use analgesics, but only those that do not thin the blood (Ketonal, Lupocet 500mg).
The nasal cavity is not just an empty space filled with air. It consists of numerous bone and cartilage structures that support it and adequately direct air into each nostril.
As basic structures within the cavity, we single out the nasal septum and nasal turbinate. The role of the nasal septum is to maintain the firm and flat structure of the nose, but more importantly, to divide the nose into two passable nostrils.
Once air can pass freely through each nostril, the task of the nasal turbinate is to warm and humidify the air. Nasal hairs contribute even more to this, so that the air does not become cold and dry when inhaling.
The nasal cavity connects directly to the sinuses, and their connection is often responsible for the overall health of the upper respiratory tract.
The mucous membrane of the nasal cavity is a highly immunogenic structure, which means that it reacts to external as well as internal stimuli. An example of the reactivity of the nasal mucosa is contact with foreign organisms such as viruses or bacteria, whereby the mucous membrane thickens. This is a normal reaction to any respiratory infection, and as a consequence, shortness of breath occurs due to poorer airflow. Increased secretion of yellow secretions, difficulty breathing through the nose and pain in the front of the head are typical side effects of upper respiratory tract infections.
Shortness of breath is not necessarily the result of infections. It can be common due to an enlarged nasal turbinate due to allergies. The thickened nasal turbinate and the mucous membrane that covers it can be congenital or can arise as a result of deformations of the surrounding structures, for example, a curved septum. In practice, a very common condition of a thickened nasal turbinate is due to too much intake of nasal drops such as Operil, Ephedrine and the like.
A deviated septum occurs when the septum has changed its shape, blocking the passage of one nostril. Due to uneven nostrils, the mucous membrane of the nasal turbinate can be enlarged in that region where there is more space.
Such a phenomenon can make breathing difficult and cause other health problems such as frequent sinusitis or chronic allergies.
Namely, chronic allergies can occur due to excessive sensitivity of the already thickened mucous membrane, which registers more allergens. However, these same allergies can cause thickening of the mucous membranes in the first place.
No matter how the thickening of the nasal turbinate occurs, this phenomenon makes your everyday life difficult. Treatment with drops and steroid sprays can be a short-term solution for allergies, but excessive use can cause capillary rupture due to dry mucous membranes.
When conservative methods can no longer help, nasal turbinate reduction surgery is the best solution for your airway problems.
At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic , we have dedicated ourselves to the subspecialized treatment of ear, nose and throat disorders, and the surgery to reduce the nasal turbinate is a regular procedure that we perform on a daily basis.
Poor function of the nasal turbinates, deformation of the septum and poor patency of the sinuses are the main reasons why you come to our clinic. We are aware of how common these problems are, especially in the winter when you are exposed to dry air and viruses that prevail at that time.
If you do not notice changes after using drops, sprays or inhalation, contact us for help and make an appointment for a diagnostic examination today.
We believe in our team of specialists and make it possible for you to leave the clinic healthier and more beautiful without having to return.
Contact us at +3851 2444 646 or contact us via the online form.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
