Can nasal turbinates hypertrophy be treated with surgery?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on June 03, 2025
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Hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates is a relatively common otolaryngological disease. In terms of treatment, some patients may consider surgical treatment, but most patients should first consider pharmacotherapy. Common treatments include nasal sprays and oral medications, as well as rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution. Many patients can gradually recover and find relief after standardized pharmacological treatment. However, for cases where the hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates is particularly severe and pharmacological treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment may be necessary. Nonetheless, whether through pharmacotherapy or surgery, it is difficult to achieve a complete cure at present, and recurrence is common. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What medicine should be taken for hypertrophic turbinates?

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a common and frequent disease in otolaryngology, mainly involving enlargement of the middle and inferior turbinates. Patients often develop bony, bubble-like formations in the middle turbinate, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, contact headache, nasal itchiness, and runny nose. For patients with nasal turbinate hypertrophy, who often also suffer from sinusitis or chronic rhinitis, treatment primarily involves local anti-inflammatory measures. Additionally, the use of corticosteroid nasal sprays can help reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa and aid in relieving nasal congestion. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is turbinate reduction ablation a good procedure?

Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common ENT disorder. If standard medical treatment is ineffective, considering turbinate reduction surgery might be an option. Generally, this is a fairly common minor procedure and is minimally invasive, having little significant impact on overall health. After surgery, most patients experience a reduction in the size of the turbinates and a relief in clinical symptoms. However, individual treatment results can vary. While most patients respond well to the surgery, a small number may not achieve ideal results and might need to continue with oral medications and other treatments. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should be noted for turbinate hypertrophy?

Patients with enlarged turbinates should pay attention to the following aspects: First, they need to visit an otolaryngologist regularly to observe changes in their condition. If accompanied by related clinical symptoms, medication should be considered. Second, in daily life, nasal irrigation with saline can be used to reduce the retention of nasal secretions, improve clinical symptoms, and alleviate the severity of enlarged turbinates. Third, it is important to avoid exposure to external irritants in daily life as much as possible and to avoid catching colds, as these factors can exacerbate the existing condition. Overall, enlarged turbinates are a common condition, and with timely treatment, the condition will gradually improve.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Will turbinate hypertrophy surgery relapse?

After surgery for enlarged nasal turbinates, it generally does not recur. Enlarged nasal turbinates are commonly seen in cases of deviated nasal septum or chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. Patients with a deviated nasal septum may experience compensatory enlargement of the turbinates on both sides, where local surgical removal is needed for treatment. Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is due to repeated episodes of simple rhinitis, causing persistent congestion and swelling in the lower turbinates on both sides, with a mulberry-like change on the surface. Treatment for these patients requires partial resection of the lower turbinates on both sides, but the surgery must adhere to principles; removing more than one-third of the lower turbinates should be avoided, as it can easily lead to empty nose syndrome. Postoperatively, patients also need to use antibiotics to prevent local infection. After complete recovery, patients should exercise regularly and avoid colds to prevent recurrent growth of the turbinates. (The use of medication should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)