Service

Nasal concha surgery

Conchoplasty is a surgical procedure to reduce enlarged turbinates.

The turbinates are long, narrow, curved growths located in our nasal cavity. There are three pairs: upper, middle and lower. The lower turbinates are the largest. The main function of the turbinates is to moisten, warm and purify the air before it enters the lungs.

After a cold or an infection, the shells increase. The sinks can also be enlarged due to allergies or irritants (such as tobacco smoke). As we age, the turbinates can also gradually thicken. Sometimes the enlargement of the shells is congenital. The most common is an increase (hypertrophy) of the lower turbinates.

Enlarged turbinates reduce the nasal cavities, which can lead to nasal obstruction, which makes breathing through the nose difficult, impaired sense of smell, snoring, and runny nose. In the presence of these symptoms, when conservative measures do not help, surgical treatment is recommended - conchoplasty .

How is the operation performed?

The operation is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes on average.

The procedure is performed through the nasal cavity. A part of the pathologically changed or displaced concha is surgically removed. This reduces its size, which reduces resistance to airflow and makes breathing easier.

Conchoplasty is often performed in conjunction with nasal septum surgery (septoplasty).

Nasal turbinates can also be reduced using electrocaustic or radiofrequency thermoablation. These procedures can also be performed under local anesthesia.

After the operation, the nasal passages are tamped with special tampons, and they are usually removed the next day.

What is important to pay attention to after surgery?

No smoking for 2-3 weeks.

For 2 weeks, it is advisable not to blow your nose and avoid physical activities that raise blood pressure, as bleeding may occur.

For 2 weeks after surgery, it is recommended to wash the nose with sea water and use oil drops.