eMedicine Specialties > Plastic Surgery > Nose

Rhinoplasty, Turbinate Reduction: Follow-up

Author: Elizabeth Whitaker, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, Atlanta Surgical Group, PC
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Dec 17, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

Nasal obstruction after rhinoplasty can result from alteration of the nasal valve or nasal vault narrowing as a result of osteotomies. Changes in nasal airflow as a result of rhinoplasty may unmask inferior turbinate hypertrophy and obstruction that was not clinically significant or evident preoperatively. Therefore, preoperative assessment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy and appropriate operative management can significantly affect nasal function postrhinoplasty. Assessing the contribution of bony versus mucosal hypertrophy is important in determining the appropriate surgical technique to maximize long-term benefit and outcome.

Future and Controversies

The primary controversy in inferior turbinate surgery revolves around inferior turbinectomy and the risk of atrophic rhinitis. Several large series of inferior turbinectomy have not demonstrated evidence of rhinitis sicca or atrophic rhinitis as a complication. However, concern over this potential complication, which can be devastating, remains and is used by many as an argument for a more conservative surgical approach.

Continued development of new technologies, such as radiofrequency ablation, have added to the available armamentarium in addressing mucosal turbinate hypertrophy. However, these techniques do not supplant surgical resection when indicated. Additionally, the deviated nasal septum should be addressed surgically when indicated for nasal airway obstruction.

 


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References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

rhinoplasty, turbinate, turbinate reduction, nasal reduction, nasal surgery, turbinate surgery, intramural electrocautery, submucosal electrocautery, inferior turbinectomy, inferior turbinoplasty, partial inferior turbinectomy, submucosal turbinate resection

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Elizabeth Whitaker, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, Atlanta Surgical Group, PC
Elizabeth Whitaker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Frederick J Menick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine; Private Practice in Tucson, Arizona
Frederick J Menick, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
Disclosure: none None None

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

George Peck, Jr, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Plastic Surgery, St Barnabas Hospital of New Jersey
George Peck, Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD, Director, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center
Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Residency Program Director, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Director, Center for Advanced Surgical Aesthetics
Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Burn Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Association for Academic Surgery, and Medical Association of the State of Alabama
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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