Yes, there are many procedures available such as turbinate out-fracture, coblation, and cautery. Most of these procedures attempt to create a scarring reaction within the turbinate to reduce their size. While numerous effective techniques exist, there is a lack of consensus regarding the best one and the long-term results of these procedures are mixed. Under certain circumstances, our physicians may employ some of these other techniques to give our patients the best individualized care possible.

The turbinates play an important role in nasal physiology. They serve to warm and humidify the air that we breathe and to regulate the amount of air that we can breathe in at once. Removing too much of the inferior turbinates can result in the sensation of worsening congestion called “empty nose” syndrome or excessively dry nasal condition called rhinitis sicca. A proper turbinate reduction procedure must reduce the size of the turbinate enough to achieve a wider nasal airway while leaving the majority of its lining intact. This will ensure that the patient gets the most of out of the procedure without worsening symptoms.

Yes, they are present in everyone’s nose unless removed by a physician. Some people even have extra or accessory turbinates.