Background and Aim: Patients who undergo an aggressive turbinectomy will sometimes develop an empty nose
syndrome (ENS). The syndrome refers to the fact that the patient's CT scan looks empty
or devoid of normal turbinate tissue following nasal surgery. The patients initially
do very well following a turbinate excision and sensation of nasal blockage occurs
years later.
Material and Methods: Five patients who were diagnosed with ENS were reviewed retrospectively. All patients
had undergone partial turbinectomy. Their ages ranged from 19 to 52 years. Four patients
were treated conservatively with saline irrigations, nasal emollients, and topical
nasal steroids. Among these patients, one, who had more serious symptoms, received
submucous and subperiosteal nasal implantation with ilium.
Results: All patients had nasal obstruction and dryness of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx,
and oropharynx for 6 months to 5 years after their first nasal surgery; two presented
symptoms of depression. Nasal endoscopy showed all patients had a cylindrically enlarged
nasal cavity.
Conclusions: Extensive turbinectomy may cause secondary nasal mucosal atrophy and a series of
subsequent symptoms. The ENT surgeons who are performing turbinectomy have to avoid
over-resection of the turbinate tissue.
