Turbinate Reduction Beverly Hills

WARNING: Graphic Surgical Content

Turbinates are pieces of bone covered with tissue that humidify the air that we breathe. There are 3 turbinates on each side, called the lower, middle and upper turbinate. The lower turbinates can block too much of the airway, or can swell in response to allergies. In these cases, we often perform a turbinate reduction or turbinoplasty. There are many ways to reduce the size of a turbinate, but we typically fracture the bone out of the way, and then cauterize the tissue so that it will scar down and be smaller. In doing so, the nasal airway is widened. Turbinate reduction does not cause very much pain after surgery, and it can make a huge improvement in breathing.

Anatomy of the Nasal Cavity

This is a picture of the nose as if you were inside looking out. The crescent-shaped structures stacked on top of eachother are the three nasal turbinates. The inferior turbinate can contribute to nasal airway obstruction.

Watch a Video of Turbinate Reduction

(WARNING: Graphic Surgical Content)