What happens During Surgery?
Any fluid build-up in the middle ear is removed by suction. A small hole is made in the eardrum and a grommet is inserted.
A turbinectomy usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. A local anaesthetic may be used instead of a general anaesthetic.
The size of the turbinates are usually reduced by one of the following techniques:
- DIATHERMY – Passing an electric current through a needle placed either on the surface of the turbinate or inside the tissue.
- TRIMMING – Cutting away the lower or outer part of the turbinate. This may also involve removing some of the turbinate bone and rolling some of the remaining tissue over the raw area.
Your surgeon may place some packing in your nose to prevent bleeding.
The operation is performed through your nostrils and does not result in any facial scars or black eyes.
How long will I stay in hospital?
Many patients are able to go home the same day. If non-dissolvable packing was inserted into your nose, you will need to stay overnight so that it can be removed the next morning.
What is my recovery time?
You will need to stay off work and away from groups of people for 2 weeks. This is to avoid catching a cold, which could result in an infection.
Swimming is not recommended for 6 weeks. You should dive deeper than 2 metres when able to swim.
Most people make a full recovery and can return to normal activities.
You should be able to return to normal activities after 1 to 2 days.
Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
The grommet will fall out of the ear by itself 6 to 18 months following surgery, depending on the material and design of the grommet.
