53068 - Unilateral Turbinectomy

The need for unilateral turbinectomy, partial or total, arises when a patient has enlarged or obstructive nasal turbinates on one side—often due to allergies, chronic rhinitis, or trauma—causing nasal blockage, breathing difficulties, snoring, or sinus infections, requiring surgical reduction or removal under anesthesia in a hospital to restore airflow and alleviate symptoms. This procedure is indicated for unilateral turbinate hypertrophy, critical in the maxillofacial region where nasal breathing impacts respiratory health and sleep quality.

Specific conditions driving this need include:

• Chronic rhinitis: Persistent inflammation might enlarge one turbinate, obstructing airflow and necessitating partial removal to open the nasal passage.
• Allergic hypertrophy: Allergies causing unilateral turbinate swelling could lead to snoring or sinus pressure, requiring a total turbinectomy to improve breathing.
• Traumatic deviation: An injury shifting a turbinate might block the nostril, prompting surgical reduction to correct the obstruction.
• Sinus complications: Turbinate overgrowth contributing to recurrent sinusitis might need excision to enhance sinus drainage and reduce infection frequency.

For example, a patient with chronic nasal obstruction on the left side due to an enlarged inferior turbinate might undergo a partial turbinectomy to relieve breathing issues and reduce nighttime snoring, performed under anesthesia for precision. In an aged care setting, an elderly patient with unilateral turbinate hypertrophy causing sleep disturbances could benefit from this to improve oxygen intake, tailored to their frailty and respiratory needs. By reducing or removing the turbinate tissue on one side, this service restores nasal airflow, alleviates associated symptoms, and enhances overall respiratory function, making it an effective procedure for managing unilateral nasal obstruction within the maxillofacial framework.

Restores nasal airflow, reduces breathing difficulties, and improves sleep quality.

Recovery of 2-3 weeks with nasal swelling, crusting, and breathing adjustments; hospital stay typically required.