How is piezo-assisted turbinoplasty different from traditional turbinate surgery?

Traditional turbinate surgery may involve tissue removal, cautery, radiofrequency treatment, or simple outfracture. Piezo-assisted turbinoplasty instead uses ultrasonic energy that acts selectively on bone, minimising soft tissue trauma, bleeding, and thermal damage while allowing controlled, anatomical reduction.

Why is tissue preservation important in turbinate surgery?

The turbinate lining plays a key role in humidifying and filtering air. Overly aggressive surgery can lead to dryness, crusting, or abnormal airflow sensation. Tissue-preserving techniques aim to improve airflow while maintaining healthy nasal physiology.

What does the evidence say about piezo-assisted turbinoplasty?

Rhinology studies have shown that ultrasonic (Piezo) turbinate reduction can improve airflow, reduce nasal resistance, preserve mucosal integrity, and achieve symptom improvement with low complication rates, particularly in patients with bony turbinate hypertrophy.

Who is suitable for piezo-assisted turbinoplasty?

This procedure may be suitable if steroid nasal sprays have been used correctly for at least three months without adequate relief, the inferior turbinates remain enlarged, symptoms are worse at night or positional, and there is no major external nasal deformity requiring septorhinoplasty.

Is piezo-assisted turbinoplasty often combined with septoplasty?

Yes. Turbinate hypertrophy and septal deviation commonly coexist. Piezo-assisted turbinoplasty is often performed alongside septoplasty to maximise airway improvement when both structures contribute to nasal obstruction.

What is recovery like after piezo-assisted turbinoplasty?

Most patients experience no nasal packing, mild congestion initially, early ability to breathe through the nose, minimal discomfort, and gradual improvement over several weeks. Because mucosal trauma is minimised, recovery is often smoother than with older techniques.

Are there risks associated with piezo-assisted turbinoplasty?

As with any nasal surgery, risks exist, but when performed conservatively by an experienced surgeon, complication rates are low. The tissue-preserving nature of the technique reduces the risk of dryness, crusting, and long-term airflow problems associated with overly aggressive turbinate surgery.

Why does surgeon expertise matter with piezo-assisted turbinoplasty?

Piezo technology is a precision tool, not a shortcut. Successful outcomes depend on accurate diagnosis, appropriate patient selection, and anatomical technique. It should be used by surgeons experienced in functional nasal anatomy rather than as a routine add-on procedure.

Where can I have piezo-assisted turbinoplasty in Hampshire?

In Hampshire, piezo-assisted turbinoplasty is offered by Mr Tim Biggs, Consultant ENT & Rhinology Surgeon, at Adnova Clinic in Fareham. Patients attend from Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester, and across the South Coast.

Piezo Assisted Turbinoplasty: A Modern, Precise Approach to Treating Nasal Blockage

Q: What is piezo-assisted turbinoplasty?

Piezo-assisted turbinoplasty is a modern technique that uses ultrasonic (Piezo) technology to precisely reduce the size of enlarged inferior turbinates. It reshapes the turbinate bone and underlying tissue while preserving the surface lining of the nose, helping maintain normal nasal function.

mrtimbiggs4
Jan 10
3 min read

Enlarged inferior turbinates are one of the most common causes of chronic nasal blockage, particularly in patients whose symptoms persist despite correct use of steroid nasal sprays. Traditional turbinate surgery can be effective, but it must be performed carefully to avoid excessive tissue damage or long-term dryness.

Piezo-assisted turbinoplasty is a newer, refined technique that allows turbinate reduction with greater precision and tissue preservation, using ultrasonic technology rather than conventional instruments. It can be combined with septorhinoplasty and/or rhinoplasty for a boost in nasal breathing.

What Are the Inferior Turbinates?

The inferior turbinates are soft tissue structures inside the nose that:

Warm and humidify air
Regulate airflow
Swell and shrink naturally throughout the day

When they become chronically enlarged (turbinate hypertrophy), airflow is restricted, leading to:

Persistent nasal blockage
Night-time congestion
Mouth breathing
Poor sleep quality

In these cases, surgery may be appropriate.

What Is Piezo-Assisted Turbinoplasty?

Piezo-assisted turbinoplasty uses ultrasonic (Piezo) technology to precisely reshape the turbinate bone and underlying tissue while preserving the surface lining (mucosa).

Unlike traditional techniques that rely on cutting or cautery, Piezo devices:

Act selectively on bone
Minimise trauma to soft tissue
Reduce bleeding and thermal damage
Allow controlled, anatomical reduction

This aligns with modern principles of functional nasal surgery — reduce obstruction while preserving normal nasal physiology.

How Is It Different From Traditional Turbinoplasty?

Traditional turbinate surgery may involve:

Partial tissue removal
Cautery or radiofrequency
Outfracture alone

While effective in selected cases, overly aggressive techniques can risk:

Dryness
Crusting
Altered airflow sensation

Piezo-assisted turbinoplasty focuses on precision and preservation, reducing turbinate volume without stripping the nasal lining.

What Does the Evidence Show?

Published work in the rhinology literature has demonstrated that ultrasonic (Piezo) turbinate reduction can:

Improve nasal airflow
Reduce nasal resistance
Preserve mucosal integrity
Achieve symptom improvement with low complication rates

The technique is particularly attractive for patients with bony turbinate hypertrophy, where soft-tissue treatments alone may be insufficient.

Link to published literature - Thieme E-Journals - Facial Plastic Surgery / Abstract

Who Is Piezo-Assisted Turbinoplasty Suitable For?

This technique may be considered if:

Nasal sprays have been used correctly for at least 3 months
Turbinates remain persistently enlarged
Blockage is worse at night or positional
Often combined with septorhinoplasty/rhinoplasty

It is performed alongside septorhinoplasty/rhinoplasty when both septal deviation and turbinate hypertrophy contribute to obstruction.

What Is Recovery Like?

Patients can typically expect:

No nasal packing
Mild congestion initially
Ability to breathe through the nose early
Minimal discomfort
Gradual improvement over several weeks

Because mucosal trauma is minimised, recovery is usually smoother than with older techniques.

Why Surgeon Expertise Matters

Piezo technology is a tool, not a shortcut. Outcomes depend on:

Accurate diagnosis
Appropriate patient selection
Conservative, anatomical technique

Piezo-assisted turbinoplasty should be performed by surgeons experienced in functional nasal anatomy, not as a routine add-on procedure.

Piezo-Assisted Turbinoplasty in Hampshire

In Hampshire, advanced turbinate surgery — including Piezo-assisted techniques — is offered by Mr Tim Biggs, a Consultant ENT & Rhinology Surgeon with extensive experience in functional nasal surgery.

Procedures are performed at Adnova Clinic, with patients attending from Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester, and across the South Coast.

Summary

Piezo-assisted turbinoplasty represents a modern, tissue-preserving approach to turbinate reduction. By using ultrasonic technology, it allows precise reduction of turbinate bulk while maintaining healthy nasal lining and function.

For patients with persistent nasal blockage despite medical therapy, it can form an effective part of a tailored surgical solution — particularly when combined with septorhinoplasty/rhinoplasty.

To enquire or book an assessment:

📍 Adnova Clinic

More information:

www.timbiggs.co.uk

www.adnovaclinic.com