Trimming of Turbinates

Turbinates are “shelves” of bone covered by mucosa that is present on the side of the nose. If the mucosa is too swollen despite adequate medical treatment it can lead to a chronic blocked nose, decreased smell and mouth breathing. These turbinates can be trimmed in order to create an airway. It is done under general anesthesia and often nasal packing is used in the immediate post operative period.