A runny nose is a symptom that worries every person at least 1-2 times a year. Despite the fact that discharge from the nasal passages at first glance does not seem to be a big problem, many people will not agree with this. Indeed, sometimes a runny nose can disturb a person constantly. It not only causes inconvenience, but also interferes with a normal lifestyle (prevents breathing, sleep). In this case, common medications (vasoconstrictors) do not bring the desired effect or help only for a short time. Then the doctors offer a surgical method of treatment. By it is meant vasotomy of the nasal concha. What it is? This is a procedure that helps get rid of chronic rhinitis and other diseases.
Vasotomy of the nasal concha - what is it?
Fighting a runny nose can last for years. As you know, some vasoconstrictor drugs differ in that they are addictive. Therefore, when they are canceled, a runny nose starts again. Chronic rhinitis is a serious problem, since this disease is difficult to treat with medication. Especially in cases where the reason for increased secretion of mucus is due to allergic reactions or lifestyle characteristics (working with dust, chemicals). In such situations, vasotomy of the turbinates is considered the best solution. What is it and how effective is the procedure? Such questions are of interest to almost every patient who is recommended this treatment method. To understand the essence of surgical intervention, you should learn about the changes that occur in the nose in chronic rhinitis.
As with any inflammatory process, the mucous membrane becomes thicker due to edema. This leads to increased secretion production. For these reasons, air hardly passes through the nasal passages. Due to prolonged runny nose, hypoxia of the brain occurs. To avoid dangerous complications, vasotomy of the nasal concha is recommended. What it is? By vasotomy is meant excision of tissues that have undergone chronic inflammation. As a result of this procedure, the blood supply to the mucous membrane is disrupted, its thickness decreases and air access improves.
Indications for nasal concha surgery
The operation (vasotomy of the lower nasal concha) is indicated only with the ineffectiveness of drug treatment. In addition to chronic rhinitis, surgery is also performed for other pathologies. The following indications for surgery are distinguished:
- Hypertrophy of the mucous membrane of the nasal concha. This disease can be caused not only by a runny nose, but also be an independent pathology. Often hypertrophy develops during puberty.
- Vasomotor rhinitis. This disease develops due to abundant blood supply to the mucous membrane of the turbinates and exposure to predisposing factors.
- Addiction to vasoconstrictors. Long-term use of drops from the common cold leads to the fact that a person cannot refuse them. Cancellation of drugs causes only increased swelling and mucus production.
- Adhesive processes in the nasal cavity.
- Hyperplasia of the epithelium.
- Curvature of the nasal septum, leading to a violation of the patency of the passages.
In these cases, drug treatment will not bring the desired effect. Submucosal vasotomy of the lower nasal concha is the only method of getting rid of the common cold. Tissue excision can be carried out both on one side, and on both.
Contraindications for vasotomy of nasal concha
Despite the fact that surgery is not considered a complex procedure and can be performed on an outpatient basis, it is not indicated for all patients. There are cases when submucosal vasotomy of the turbinates is prohibited. Therefore, before deciding on a similar procedure, you should consult with an otolaryngologist. There are a number of contraindications for vasotomy. Among them:
- Pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding. Given that the operation does not apply to emergency surgical interventions, it is recommended to postpone it until delivery or termination of lactation.
- Acute infectious pathologies.
- Exacerbation of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In the presence of a focus of inflammation (sinusitis, laryngitis), the nasal cavity can be secondarily infected at the time of surgery and after it.
- Blood diseases accompanied by platelet deficiency or coagulation factors. In these cases, vasotomy is contraindicated due to the risk of hemorrhagic shock.
- Mental pathology.
Preparation for surgery
Submucosal vasotomy of the lower nasal concha is carried out only in cases where the doctor can exclude all contraindications. For this purpose, it is necessary to undergo an examination. The otolaryngologist prescribes such tests as UAC, coagulogram. It is important to pay attention to platelet count and blood coagulation time. Infectious pathologies should also be excluded. For this, a thorough medical history is carried out. The doctor finds out if the patient has had contact with people with infectious diseases. To exclude airway inflammation, pay attention to the level of leukocytes in the blood, examine the posterior wall of the nasopharynx, lymph nodes. A specific examination method is rhinoscopy. It is necessary to assess the mucous membrane of the nasal passages, their patency. The procedure is performed quickly on an outpatient basis.
Nasal conchasis vasotomy technique
Most often, surgery is performed on the lower nasal concha on both sides. During the procedure, the patient sits on a chair. The duration of the operation is about 15-30 minutes. Before starting a vasotomy, the nasal passages anesthetize. There are several varieties of this surgical intervention. Among them:
- Instrumental method. Performed with a scalpel. The mucous membrane is excised, and the vessels are coagulated (“sealed”).
- Laser vasotomy of the nasal concha is a bloodless and painless method of surgical treatment. It is currently the most common way.
- Cryodestruction - cauterization of the mucous membrane with liquid nitrogen.
- Vacuum resection. It is carried out by introducing a special tube into the submucosal layer and creating negative pressure. Hypertrophied tissue is aspirated, as a result of which the epithelium is noticeably narrowed.
Sometimes a vasotomy is combined with a turboplasty - excision of the nasal septum. In some cases, conhotomy is indicated - the removal of not only hypertrophied tissue, but also polyps.
How is the postoperative period?
After a vasotomy, it is not necessary to perform a tamponade of the nasal cavity, since the vessels are coagulated during the operation. Therefore, the risk of bleeding is minimal. Nevertheless, a few minutes after surgery, rhinoscopy is performed. The healing process lasts about 1 week. To accelerate regeneration, it is recommended to use inhalations in the nasal passages. At first, you can not visit the bath and take a hot bath, as this can contribute to the development of bleeding.
Possible complications
In most cases, the operation is not dangerous. Nevertheless, complications such as infection of the mucous membrane or bleeding are possible. If too many vessels have been removed, the blood supply to the mucous membrane is impaired. It is dangerous by the development of atrophy and necrosis.
Vasotomy of the turbinates: reviews of patients and doctors
With the right operation, the risk of complications is minimal. Therefore, in case of chronic rhinitis and epithelial hypertrophy, vasotomy of the lower nasal concha is recommended. Reviews of patients who underwent surgery are positive. They note an improvement in the condition and the absence of a runny nose that makes breathing difficult. Otolaryngologists often recommend this procedure as a treatment for chronic rhinitis.