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Removal of nasal concha, disadvantages?

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Nose2014
Nose2014

Hello.

I have some problems with allergies (mites, etc.). In addition to some other nasal ailments.

I shall therefore be cut away my the nasal concha, but what is the disadvantage of removing those? I do not think the actual surgery, but the nasal concha must surely have a function? Perhaps it’s a function that I'm going to miss when they are removed.

My native language is not English, am I not quite sure if nasal concha is the correct English word to use. The latin word is concha nasalis.

Thanks for answering J

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • FFord05
    FFord05 Nose2014

    Posted

    Hi -

    Concha sanalis are often known as 'turbinates' in England.  They are structures in the nose which help to humidify and filter the air on its way to the olefactory bulb (where the nerves are for sensing smells), and to the throat and lungs

    If you have them removed, it will also remove any chance of getting your sense of smell restored.   I had this surgery (they didn't tell me they were going to remove the turbinates - just did so!), and I don't think it has helped very much.

    Ask your surgeon why he/she wants to do this.  And get a second opinion.  Mine were removed at the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear hospital in London - supposedly one of the best places in the UK for this work.  I have Samter's Triad (aspirin sensitivity, nasal polyps, asthma), and the treatment options are very limited anyway.  But I don't think removing the turbinates helped.

    • Nose2014
      Nose2014 FFord05

      Posted

      Hi.

      I am sorry to hear about your bad experience. Is there any possibility that yoou can replace the concha sanalis?

  • FFord05
    FFord05 Nose2014

    Posted

    Sadly, no.  Their removal is commonplace, I think, when dealing with nasal polyps.

    Basically, there are very few treatment options for nasal polyps.  I use a sinus rinse twice daily, monteleucast (10mg) taken at night, and flixonase (400microgram) nazules used after the morning sinus wash.  In summer, I also use desloratidine slow-realease antihistamine.  They all help, (and the monteleucast synergises well with my asthma treatment - Salbuterol 250, one does nightly).  But polyps usually return.  In my case, the cycle seams to be three years.

    FFord05

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