We offer premier nasal surgical treatment options for conditions that either require surgery or aren’t responding to other medical or procedural treatment plans. Most of these can be managed or cured using nonsurgical treatments.
In some cases, though, our physicians may recommend surgical solutions. Whether or not you’ll require surgery depends entirely on your individual health and personal needs. Some examples of conditions that may require nasal surgery include:
- Nasal blockage.
- Deviated septum.
- Nasal trauma.
- Nose bleeds.
- Nasal polyps.
- Enlarged turbinates.
- Chronic stuffiness.
- Chronic breathing issues.
What Nasal Surgery Options Are Available?
Depending on your condition, insurance, lifestyle and symptoms, your ENT physician may recommend one or more surgical treatment options. Some of the most common procedures we perform in-house or at our outpatient surgery center include:
- Septoplasty and septorhinoplasty procedures reshape, reduce or reposition portions of the septum’s bone or cartilage to open up the nasal passageway and improve drainage and breathing. These procedures are used to reduce blockage, fix a deviated septum, repair a broken nose and more.
- Turbinate surgery reduces airway obstruction and difficulties breathing caused by enlarged or swollen turbinates, which are small bones that clean and humidify air as it passes through your nose. There are several types of turbinate surgery, including the turbinectomy (full or partial tissue removal), the turbinoplasty (tissue repositioning), radiofrequency or laser ablation surgery (tissue reduction) and submucous resection surgery (partial bone or cartilage removal).
Septoplasty Surgical Procedure
Septoplasty is generally performed in an outpatient surgery center using either local or general anesthesia, and should take 60 to 90 minutes. Your surgeon will reposition the septum by trimming and straightening the bent cartilage and bone, working through the nostrils. The incisions are stitched shut with absorbable thread, and silicone splints are often placed inside the nostrils to keep the septum straight as it heals. Packing may be placed in your nostrils to prevent bleeding.
Afterward, you’ll be given instructions that will help prevent swelling and bleeding. You’ll want to avoid blowing your nose, limit strenuous activities and elevate your head while sleeping.
Symptoms improve in the majority of people undergoing this procedure, and complications are rare.
Turbinates Reduction Surgical Procedures
A number of surgical procedures are effective in reducing the size of the inferior turbinate, clearing up the airway to eliminate any associated breathing or sinus problems. These include:
- Turbinate Resection. Either total or partial, this procedure involves removing all or part of the inferior turbinate while widening the nasal airway. Submucous resection aims to preserve the mucosa of the turbinate in order to reduce side effects.
- Laser Surgery. Lasers focus a beam of light on the inferior turbinate to create lesions that allow for removal. This is a minimally invasive procedure with few complications or side effects. However, the mucosa may regenerate, and additional laser treatments may be needed.
- Cryosurgery. This procedure is similar to laser surgery, but relies on the application of extreme cold to destroy the turbinate through freezing. Its long-term effectiveness is not as good as resection surgery.
- Radiofrequency. A probe delivers heat generated from high frequency alternating current to destroy the turbinate.
- Corticosteroid Injection. A needle is used to inject corticosteroids directly into the inferior turbinate, often with great success.
Call Dr. Stolovitzky at (404) 921-5474 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
