Operation for rhinitis: what it is and how it helps you breathe

Rhinitis is a pathology that almost all of us have faced at some time. The figures are increasing since it is estimated that, in its allergic variant, from 17% to 29% of European people present it at some point in their life. This trend is expected to increase, as more and more infants have reactions to one or more allergens.

In any case, it is necessary to emphasize that not all rhinitis have their origin in allergic processes, as they are also commonly due to viral and bacterial infections in the respiratory tract superiors. If the clinical picture lasts more than 6 months, we say that we are facing an event of chronic rhinitis.

It is at this time that the operation for rhinitis begins to be considered, since the quality of life of the patient who presents it may be affected. If you want to know everything about this procedure, keep reading.

• We recommend you read: "Surgery to lengthen a short nose: procedure, price and results"

What is rhinitis?

Rhinitis is defined as an inflammation of the lining of the lining of the nose.

, generally characterized by one or more of these symptoms: discharge of mucous fluid from the nose, sneezing, nasal itching, congestion and postnasal discharge. It is essential to distinguish a rhinitis from a sinusitis, as both clinical entities are often used interchangeably and are not really the same.

A rhinitis causes inflammation in the mucous membranes of the nose, while sinusitis also involves inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. For this reason, at a medical level, sinusitis is often known as “rhinosinusitis”.

What is chronic rhinitis?

For its part, a chronic rhinitis is one that evolves in the patient for 6 months or more. Generally, it is an evolution of an acute rhinitis caused by viral or bacterial agents. Some factors may predispose to the nasal passages are permanently inflamed, and among them, we find the following:

• Anatomical factors: septal deviation, ridges and adenoid hypertrophy in children.
• Infections in neighboring structures: sinusitis or chronic tonsillitis are often accompanied by rhinitis.
• Vasomotor rhinitis: when the blood vessels in the nose dilate.
• Physical-chemical injuries: exposure to tobacco, other fumes and irritating substances.
• Hormones and systemic diseases.
• Use of certain medications, such as vasoconstrictors.

Chronic rhinitis causes ongoing nasal obstruction and, in severe cases, can lead to scabbing, frequent bleeding, and discharge of foul-smelling purulent substances. Faced with any of these clinical signs, a visit to the doctor is mandatory.

What is the operation for rhinitis?

We are entering a somewhat complex terrain, because in the first place it is necessary to know if the surgical operation is intended to solve problems derived from rhinitis or sinusitis. According to professional medical portals, there are various methods to address chronic rhinitis. We will tell you about them below.

1. Radio Frequency Turbinoplasty

A radiofrequency probe is inserted into the head of the turbinate (cancellous bone structures, covered by mucosa respiratory tract and located in the lateral parts of each nasal chamber) and various incisions are made in spaces located. This is done in order to reduce the size of the turbinate, which is hypertrophied and does not allow the patient to breathe..

It is a very safe technique, as it does not damage the adjacent nasal mucosa and general anesthesia is not required for the patient. Unfortunately, the effects of this surgery do not ensure their permanence, since they have an average functionality of about 5 years.

In the weeks after the procedure, it is normal for the patient to have even more bleeding and congestion, which disappears in 5-10 days. Throughout the postoperative period, nasal washes with physiological saline or hypertonic saline solutions (sea water) should be performed.

2. Turbinoplasty with thermal methods

It is a similar type of intervention, as the goal remains to reduce the size of the hypertrophic nasal turbinates. In this case, wounds are induced by CO2 laser or electrocautery.

3. Turbinoplasty using cold dissection or suction and cutting motor

Induction of turbinate scars and injuries is performed with cold instruments, separating the mucosa and bone of the turbinate to induce a longer lasting scar. It is very effective in cases of chronic shortness of breath, but requires general anesthesia and the patient must wear nasal plugs for 2-4 days.

4. Reconstructive turbinoplasty with partial section of the bone and mucosa of the turbinate

It is the most effective technique, because in addition to the turbinate itself, bone and mucosa are also partially sectioned. Due to its great specificity and capacity for action, it ensures better breathing in the patient. Unfortunately, as it is a more delicate intervention, it is necessary to go to general anesthesia and a slow healing time.

Considerations

As you can imagine These interventions are performed when the cause of rhinitis is hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates. Faced with other anatomical problems, reshaping these structures will do no good. If the cause of your problems is sinusitis, that is, an inflammation of the sinuses, you may require a different surgical intervention.

In this case, what you are trying to solve is a plugging of the paranasal sinuses, which can accumulate mucus inside if the drainage is not adequate. To do this, an endoscope is inserted through the nostrils, which contains various surgical instruments.

Using this scope, the professional can detect polyps, small amounts of bone, and other materials that are obstructing the sinuses. Thus, you can cut and laser burn to free the openings. The procedure lasts 30 to 90 minutes and can be performed under general or local anesthesia, depending on the doctor's instructions.

Other types of rhinitis

As you can imagine it is of little use to go through a surgical process in a case of allergic rhinitis. We have presented you the operations that are performed in the most common cases of chronic rhinosinusitis or rhinosinusitis lengthened in time, although you must bear in mind that many other etiological agents can cause the disease.

In cases of allergic rhinitis, the use of nasal steroid sprays (which reduce inflammation of the nasal passages), Antihistamines (substances that block the function of histamine, essential in allergic processes), decongestants and other drugs are the paths to follow.

On the other hand, if your rhinitis is not allergic and at the same time it is not due to an inflammation of the turbinates, go to the following list:

• Environmental irritants: If you work in a factory or on the construction site, for example, continued exposure to dust and other microparticles can promote inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose.
• Climate changes: Exposure to extreme variations in temperature and / or humidity can also cause rhinitis.
• InfectionsIf rhinitis appears out of nowhere and you are not allergic, you are probably experiencing a viral or bacterial infection.
• Food and drinks: some foods and excess alcohol can cause inflammation of the nose tissue.
• Certain medications
• Hormonal changesHormonal changes from pregnancy, menstruation, use of oral contraceptives, or other hormonal conditions can cause non-allergic rhinitis.
• Sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux, exceptionally, they can cause rhinitis.

As you can see after reading this list, we can confirm that there is no single surgical treatment to address rhinitis. If this is of allergic origin or if it is due to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), for example, the approach will be very different from if there are hypertrophied turbinates.

Resume

In general, episodes of acute rhinitis are very common in the general population, since different groups of viruses, bacteria and allergens can cause it. If you experience some of the above symptoms for a short time, don't worry: it is normal.

The thing changes if the plugs of the nose are too recurrent, continued over time or if they are accompanied by scabs and purulent substances. In these cases a visit to the doctor is necessary immediatelyWell, an infection may have gotten out of control, or worse.