Submucous Resection of Inferior Turbinates

The turbinates are curved ridges along the sidewall of the nose on each side and are involved in humidification and filtration of the air we breathe in.  There are 3 sets of turbinates on each side of the nose.  The most inferior set is responsible for nasal congestion and is termed the inferior turbinates. There are various types of turbinate surgery.  There are in-office options with radio frequency ablation of the inferior turbinates (Coblation) that help shrink the mucosa of the turbinates and sometimes require more than one treatment for results.  Then there are more definitive procedures such as submucous resection of the turbinates that are performed under anesthesia.  During this procedure the bone expanding the turbinates on the inside is shaved down allowing for significant long-term reduction in the size of the turbinates.  Often times this procedure is combined with a septoplasty/deviated septum repair when necessary to significantly improve nasal obstruction.  Dr. Alen Cohen and Dr. Jerome Vener in Los Angeles and Calabasas will accurately assess the cause of your nasal obstruction and determine if turbinate surgery will significantly improve breathing through your nose.