Is inferior turbinate reduction surgery safe?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on July 01, 2025
00:00
00:00

Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. The treatment usually depends on the extent of the enlargement. Generally, most patients can opt for conservative medical treatment, which often includes oral medications and nasal sprays. In many cases, patients respond well to standardized conservative treatments.

If conservative treatments fail and the clinical symptoms are severe, surgical intervention may be considered. Currently, the main option is turbinate reduction surgery, which is generally safe. One commonly used method is endoscopic plasma ablation under local anesthesia. Overall, the risks associated with the surgery and anesthesia are minimal, and the recovery is usually quick due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
48sec home-news-image

Causes of Turbinate Hypertrophy

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common clinical presentation and can be caused by many factors. The more common causes include physiological hypertrophy, chronic rhinitis, acute rhinitis, as well as sinusitis or long-term exposure to irritants. When these symptoms occur, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist to determine the specific cause. If it is simply physiological hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates, regular follow-up is generally sufficient, and no special treatment is needed. However, if the hypertrophy is due to an inflammatory response causing clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose, medical treatment should be considered. Most patients see good results after standardized medical treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
52sec home-news-image

Will the nose become larger if the nasal concha is hypertrophic?

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common otolaryngological condition. This condition mainly involves the growth and thickening of the tissue in the lower or middle nasal concha inside the nasal cavity. However, it does not affect the overall appearance of the nose; there are no obvious changes or deformities, nor significant enlargement. Symptoms of nasal turbinate hypertrophy may include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. Upon experiencing these symptoms, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist for a nasopharyngoscope examination to assess the extent of the inflammatory response. In terms of treatment, most patients may consider using nasal spray medication and oral medication, while a small portion of patients might need to consider surgical treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
55sec home-news-image

Can hypertrophic turbinates be treated with erythromycin?

Hypertrophy of the nasal turbinate is a relatively common otolaryngology disease. It is not recommended to use erythromycin ointment because erythromycin ointment does not have a therapeutic effect on nasal turbinate hypertrophy and it may cause side effects. For patients with hypertrophic nasal turbinates, it is advised to visit an otolaryngologist after the onset of symptoms. Routine blood tests and nasal endoscopy can be performed to assess the severity of the condition. If it is simply hypertrophy of the nasal turbinate without significant clinical symptoms, observation and nasal irrigation with saline solution can be considered. If there are symptoms like nasal congestion and a runny nose, oral medications combined with nasal spray treatments can be considered. Regular follow-up visits during the treatment process are necessary to observe the effects.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Can you eat eggs if you have enlarged nasal turbinates?

Patients with hypertrophic turbinates can eat eggs; there is no issue with that. Eggs are rich in protein, which can enhance the body's immunity and resistance, offering significant benefits to patients with hypertrophic turbinates. Hypertrophic turbinates are simply a clinical manifestation, commonly caused by chronic rhinitis or chronic allergic rhinitis. Following hypertrophy of the turbinates, patients typically experience persistent bilateral nasal congestion, accompanied by a sensation of a foreign body in the nose, swelling, and mucous nasal discharge. A detailed examination with an endoscope at the hospital can confirm the diagnosis. During the examination, diffuse congestion and edema of the bilateral inferior turbinates can be observed. For treatment, initial steps can include nebulized inhalation therapy to shrink the turbinates and alleviate nasal congestion, along with regular physical exercise to restore the function of the nasal mucosa. If conservative treatment is ineffective, local surgical treatment may be necessary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 17sec home-news-image

Can medication cure nasal turbinate hypertrophy?

Turbinate hypertrophy can often be cured with medication, and if not cured, partial surgical removal of the hypertrophied turbinates can be curative. Turbinate hypertrophy is generally caused by chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. It manifests due to lowered immunity and resistance in the body, leading to repeated inflammatory infections or allergic reactions in the nasal cavity, resulting in bilateral nasal turbinates swelling diffusely, becoming edematous, proliferating, and enlarging. After turbinate enlargement, it mainly causes the patient to experience persistent nasal congestion on both sides, accompanied by a foreign body sensation and swelling in the nasal cavity. Patients will also have mucous secretions from the nasal cavity and will require a detailed examination at the hospital, where tests such as nasal endoscopy, sinus CT, and allergen antibody tests can provide a diagnosis. For treatment, nebulized inhalation can be used with good effectiveness for chronic rhinitis. For allergic rhinitis, symptomatic anti-allergic treatment is needed to shrink the turbinates and relieve nasal congestion. If conservative treatment is ineffective, local surgical treatment may be necessary.