The nose serves as the only means of bringing humidified, warm and purified air into the lungs.
Anatomy and physiology. The nasal turbinates are important structures in the nasal airway. We must be very attentive to the turbinates because of their treatment often depends on the success or failure of nasal surgery. There are two pairs of turbinates, great inferior turbinate and middle turbinate. The turbinates are used to humidify the air that passes, to collect dust and dirt on their surface. The inferior turbinate can dramatically change its size. A cold or trauma do increase volume.
If there's a nasal fracture that causes a curved nose, the inferior turbinate will grow to fill any concavity or septal deviation that may result. The inferior turbinate shapes itself to try and prevent an overly open nasal air passage.
Fig. 1 - Hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate
Surgery - The surgery reduce the size of the turbinates. A very interesting technique is the radiofrequency ablation, which also reduces the size of the turbinate from inside out. You may hear of many different techniques. I prefer the radiofrequency reduction. Are interesting techniques also mcrodebrider resection and partial rection of turbinates. Radiofrequency reduction is performed under local anesthesia.
In some patients may be utilized a combination of these techniques to obtain the most optimal surgical result.
Fig. 2 RadioFrequency Turbinate Reduction (RFTR)
Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
Carlo Govoni performs radiofrequency recuction and surgery ENT at the nursing home in Columbus Clinic Center, via Buonarroti, 48 Milan and Hesperia Hospital, Arquà street, 80 - Modena. Another ambulatory is located in MILAN, Magenta street, civic number 64. phone (+39) 3358040811
CARLO GOVONI MD, only private visits by appointment. Phone (+39) 3358040811
See also:
- Drugs and olfactory system
