Nasal Airway Surgery

What is nasal airway surgery?

Nasal airway surgery is the surgical repair of abnormal structures in the nasal cavity. Your nasal cavity is a tunnel that extends from your nostrils to the top of your throat. It is made up of various bones, soft tissue, and cartilage. Nasal airway surgery can help restore airflow and full function of a damaged or diseased nasal cavity.

Nasal airway surgery is a common but major surgery with significant risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options available depending on your specific circumstances. You should consider getting a second opinion about all your treatment choices before having nasal airway surgery.

Types of nasal airway surgery

The types of nasal airway surgery procedures include:

• Ethmoidectomy is the surgical removal of part of your ethmoid bone. Your ethmoid bone is located at the top of your nasal cavity and makes up your ethmoid sinus. Ethmoidectomy can improve nasal drainage into your throat.
• Polypectomy is the removal of polyps in the nasal cavity. Polyps are noncancerous swellings in the nose that can block airflow.
• Septoplasty is the surgical correction of a deviated nasal septum or other septal deformity that can obstruct airflow through the nose and cause difficulty breathing. Your nasal septum divides your nasal cavity into left and right sides and ends at your nostrils.
• Tumor removal is the surgical excision of a tumor from your nasal cavity.
• Turbinate surgery is the reduction in size of your nasal turbinates, which can cause obstruction and difficulty breathing through the nose. Your nasal turbinates are located on the outer side walls of your nasal cavity. They project out into your nasal cavity and are responsible for conditioning and filtering the air that moves through your nasal cavity.

Other procedures that may be performed

In addition to nasal airway surgery, your doctor may also perform one or more other procedures. These include:

• Rhinoplasty is the surgical repair or reshaping of the nose. It is often called a “nose job.”
• Sinus surgery is the surgical widening of the sinus passages to allow for proper drainage to the nose.

Why is nasal airway surgery performed?

Your doctor may recommend nasal airway surgery to treat a damaged or diseased nasal cavity. When the structures of your nasal cavity are damaged or diseased, they can block the efficient flow of air through your nasal cavity. Nasal airway obstruction can lead to chronic mouth breathing, sleep apnea, chronic headaches, and recurrent nasal infections.

Your doctor may only consider nasal airway surgeryfor you if other treatment options with less risk of complications have failed. Talk with your doctor about all of your treatment options and consider getting a second opinion.

Your doctor may recommend nasal airway surgery for:

• Enlarged nasal turbinates that extend too far into your nasal cavity, blocking efficient airflow
• Nasal airway obstruction from polyps or an abnormal ethmoid bone
• Nasal polyps or tumors that block efficient airflow
• Deviated septum or nasal septal deformity that is making it difficult to breathe through your nose
• Septal spur headaches caused by a sharp projection of the septum from a nose injury
• Uncontrollable nosebleeds, often from septal deformities

How is nasal airway surgery performed? 

An otolaryngologist will lead the surgical team and perform your nasal airway surgery in a hospital or outpatient surgery setting. An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases and conditions of the ears, nose, and throat (ENT).

Surgical approaches to nasal airway surgery

Your doctor may perform nasal airway surgery using one of the following approaches. The approach will vary depending on the specific procedure. Approaches include:

• Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery is performed by inserting special instruments and an endoscope through your nose. An endoscope is a thin, lighted instrument with a small camera. The camera transmits pictures of the inside of your body to a video screen viewed by your doctor as he or she performs the surgery. Endoscopic surgery generally involves a faster recovery and less pain and risk of complications than many other types of surgery. This is because it requires no incision and causes less trauma to tissues and organs.
• Open surgery is performed by making an incision inside or around the nose. An open surgery incision allows your doctor to directly view and access the surgical area. Open surgery requires a larger incision and involves more cutting and displacement of muscle and other tissues. Open surgery generally involves a longer recovery and more pain than minimally invasive surgery because it causes more trauma to tissues. Despite the potential for damage, open surgery may be a safer or more effective method for certain patients.