Turbinoplasty – Relief from Nasal Blockage and Congestion
If you constantly feel blocked up, struggle to breathe through your nose, or rely on nasal sprays to get relief, you may have enlarged nasal turbinates. These small, bony structures inside the nose help warm and humidify the air we breathe, but when they become swollen they can cause significant congestion.
At Hampshire ENT clinics, we offer turbinoplasty, a modern, minimally invasive procedure to reduce the size of the turbinates and improve nasal airflow.
👃 What Are the Nasal Turbinates?
There are three pairs of turbinates inside the nose – inferior, middle, and superior. They’re covered in mucosal tissue that can swell due to:
Allergies or chronic rhinitis
Sinusitis
Environmental irritants
Overuse of decongestant sprays
When this swelling becomes chronic, it can lead to ongoing nasal blockage — even when there’s no infection.
🩺 What Is a Turbinoplasty?
Turbinoplasty is a procedure that reshapes or reduces the size of the enlarged inferior turbinates while preserving their important function.
At Hampshire ENT, several modern methods may be used, including:
Submucosal resection – removes excess tissue while keeping the surface lining intact
Endoscopic-assisted surgery – performed through the nostrils with a small camera for precision
These techniques are often done as a day-case procedure under a short general anaesthetic.
🌟 Benefits of Turbinoplasty
Freer nasal breathing
Improved sleep and exercise tolerance
Reduced dependence on nasal sprays
Long-lasting results
Minimal downtime and discomfort
⚕️ Why Choose Hampshire ENT Clinics?
We specialise in advanced nasal surgery and modern techniques such as turbinoplasty, Clarifix®, and image-guided sinus surgery. Clinics available at Portsmouth, Winchester & Salisbury, and the wider Hampshire region.
Patients benefit from:
Experienced ENT surgeons
State-of-the-art equipment
Personalised treatment plans
Local care with consultant-led follow-up
📞 Get in Touch
If you’re tired of feeling constantly blocked or dependent on nasal sprays, turbinoplasty could help restore easy, natural breathing.
👉 Contact Hampshire ENT clinics to arrange an assessment today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Turbinoplasty
What are enlarged nasal turbinates?
Enlarged turbinates occur when the soft tissue covering the turbinates becomes chronically swollen. This reduces airflow through the nose and can cause persistent congestion, even in the absence of infection.
What causes turbinate enlargement?
Common causes include chronic rhinitis, allergies, sinusitis, environmental irritants, and prolonged use of decongestant sprays. In many patients, turbinate swelling fluctuates but never fully settles.
How do I know if my nasal blockage is due to turbinates?
Symptoms often include constant nasal blockage (sometimes alternating sides), mouth breathing, snoring, poor sleep, and reliance on nasal sprays. Diagnosis is made through ENT examination, often with nasal endoscopy.
What is turbinoplasty?
Turbinoplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the enlarged inferior turbinates while preserving their essential role in humidifying and warming air.
Will turbinoplasty affect the normal function of my nose?
No. Modern turbinoplasty techniques aim to preserve turbinate function, reducing bulk without removing important surface lining or causing dryness.
Is turbinoplasty painful?
Discomfort is usually mild. Most patients describe congestion or pressure for a few days rather than pain, and this settles quickly with simple pain relief.
Is turbinoplasty a day-case procedure?
Yes. Turbinoplasty is usually performed as a day-case under a short general anaesthetic, allowing you to return home the same day.
How long is recovery after turbinoplasty?
Most patients return to normal activities within a few days. Nasal breathing continues to improve over several weeks as internal swelling settles.
Will I still need nasal sprays after turbinoplasty?
Some patients continue to use steroid sprays to control underlying inflammation, but most notice a reduced dependence on decongestant sprays.
Are the results permanent?
Turbinoplasty provides long-lasting improvement. However, because underlying conditions such as allergies or rhinitis can persist, ongoing medical management may still be recommended.
Can turbinoplasty be combined with other nasal procedures?
Yes. Turbinoplasty is frequently combined with septoplasty, sinus surgery, or treatments such as ClariFix® when appropriate.
Where can I have turbinoplasty performed?
Assessment and treatment are available through Hampshire ENT Clinics, serving patients across Portsmouth, Winchester, Salisbury, and the wider Hampshire region.