Swollen turbinates

[ChicagoGranny]

Although I have read many reports of successful outcomes from the surgery, but also some with low success and some horror stories.

1. Reduction of turbinates by cauterization, cobaltion or radiofrequency can eventually result in the necessity to repeat the procedure because the turbinates have swelled again. Swelling is more likely to happen if the patient has severe nasal allergies that have not been treated successfully.

2. Reduction of the turbinates by surgery that cuts away some of the bone (and possibly removes some of the turbinate tissue) rarely results in the necessity for repeat surgery.

3. "horror stories" Where are you hearing these horror stories? You do know that most stories are about bad surgeries, and the 99% that are successful just go on with life and don't make a big drama? And, where are you getting this "low success" story?

4. Gramps' doctor had him use a nasal steroid spray for some weeks to see if that would shrink the turbinates. If it had, the doctor would have not operated. It didn't.

Are you overthinking this?

[sleepcrapnea]

When I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea, I decided to have surgery instead of using a CPAP machine. The machines then (1996 ) were quite different from what we have today. It would have been difficult for me to carry one when traveling around the country. I had UPPP, turbinate reduction, septoplasty and had some work done to a couple of the sinus cavities. I would recommend any of this surgery except for the UPPP. I knew then what I know now, I would have tried to lug that big machine around with me and make it work. The work done in the nasal area was well worth the discomfort. My only pain was in the back of the mouth where they reshaped the soft palate.

Thanks for your feedback. Im pleased to heae that the turbinate reduction surgery helped you. Gives me hope for the same.

[sleepcrapnea]

1. Reduction of turbinates by cauterization, cobaltion or radiofrequency can eventually result in the necessity to repeat the procedure because the turbinates have swelled again. Swelling is more likely to happen if the patient has severe nasal allergies that have not been treated successfully.

2. Reduction of the turbinates by surgery that cuts away some of the bone (and possibly removes some of the turbinate tissue) rarely results in the necessity for repeat surgery.

3. "horror stories" Where are you hearing these horror stories? You do know that most stories are about bad surgeries, and the 99% that are successful just go on with life and don't make a big drama? And, where are you getting this "low success" story?

4. Gramps' doctor had him use a nasal steroid spray for some weeks to see if that would shrink the turbinates. If it had, the doctor would have not operated. It didn't.

Are you overthinking this?

Its really difficult to know what initially caused the turbinate swelling for me. I have had both skin and blood tests, testing all the common allergens. The most likely culprit is dust mites. But I have been doing dust mite allergy shots for a year now and still no improvement so far. So maybe the damage done is irriversible. But maybe if I get the reduction the allergy desensitisation will stop them re-growing.

The horror stories I have seen all over the internet about Empty Nose Syndrome. From peope saying they have it and posting information about it. But yes, I really hope it is the 99% who have success. THe information from low success rate comes from this study. https://www.hcf.com.au/preparing-for-ho ... al%20risks.

But generally I find there is susch a lack of good information about it online despite it being such a prevalent surgery.

But yes, I am probably overthinking it. I cant go on as is so I think I will just have to get the surgery.

[ChicagoGranny]

THe information from low success rate comes from this study. https://www.hcf.com.au/preparing-for-ho ... al%20risks.

That's not a study. It's an article on an Australian insurance company's webpage. They fail to provide a citation for the study. And, they do not specify which type of surgery.

Further, their web page states, "... your nose may be packed with dissolvable dressing or cotton gauze." This places serious doubts on how current that webpage is. Packing has fallen out of favor, and clips are more commonly used now. The page does not even mention clips. Clips are much more comfortable as compared to having the nostrils stuffed with gauze or dressing.

[elizabeth25]

I had RF of the turbinates last February. I've had allergies my whole life. The turbinates are always swollen. Deviated septum. Nose breathing hasn't been so easy. The doctor suggested the big operation but said maybe we should try the RF first. It was a big success. I can breathe a lot better through nose. Maybe it's not 100% but a big improvement. Easy. The doctor did it in the operating room with anesthesia. It took less than 15 minutes. By the next day I felt fine. I had to learn not to keep breathing though my mouth.
It had no effect on my sleep apnea. But the doctor said that for patients who use CPAP machines she rarely sees the turbinates grow back to the way they were before.
Eliz 25

[ChicagoGranny]

The doctor suggested the big operation but said maybe we should try the RF first. It was a big success. I can breathe a lot better through nose.

I am glad it was easy and worked out so well for you. There are many people who fail to do something about their nasal problems. They try different nasal sprays, antihistamines, nasal rinses and some unconventional treatment. They need to do what you did - get into an ENT's office and let her do something good.

[sleepcrapnea]

@elizabeth25 - great to hear the Radiofrequency procedure helped your nose thats awesome! Must be such a relief. Unfortunately in New Zealand where I am they dont seem to offer this procedure. Only the full surgical procedure of turbinate reduction.

@chicagogranny - the document I linnked you to was an easy read snap shot of the same study I have seen many times about turbinate surgery. Here is the details of the actual study itself citing the same success rates. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3199827/

Mind you that is for the partial turbinectomy. Im not sure whether I would be having that surgery or the submucosal turbinectomy. Which has differnt success rates. Although its not very clear what the statistics are, just apparently the highest successs rates. God there is such a lack of good information about this surgery online. Especially given how common it has been, you would think there is more comprehenive up-to-date info about risks of Empty Nose Sydnrom (in percentage terms) and success rates (in percentage terms)

[elizabeth25]

The doctor suggested the big operation but said maybe we should try the RF first. It was a big success. I can breathe a lot better through nose.

I am glad it was easy and worked out so well for you. There are many people who fail to do something about their nasal problems. They try different nasal sprays, antihistamines, nasal rinses and some unconventional treatment. They need to do what you did - get into an ENT's office and let her do something good.

For years, decades actually I saw ENTs who only offered drugs. They did not help me enough to justify taking them every single day. I was happy to hear this ENT offer something that was new to me. The fact that it helped was a bonus!