How effective/reliable will nasal turbinate reduction by radio frequency be for me?
RealSelf actual patient comment:
Recommended by physician and deciding whether to have turbinate reduction by radiofrequency (treatment in the office, no general anesthesia). How exactly does the ENT physician determine how much to reduce? I’m assuming all patients are different. And, can it be done on one side only of the other side isn’t as swollen? Finally, how deep does the probe go?
A.Great sinus X-rays!!! It appears that you should get great improvement of your nasal breathing and air flowfrom RF Inferior Turbinate reduction. I will treat the areas of the inferior turbinate that are swollen, usually involves treating 3 spots on each inferior turb, anterior, mid, and posterior. A preset amount of energy is given in each area to reduce the turb. The insulated RF probe needle is inserted 2-3 centimeters into the turb tissue. It can be done unilaterally, but most patients prefer having both sides done at the same time. The nose feels congested for 2 to 5 days, like a cold but you are not sick. Good luck and be well.
