Cautery or Coblation of the nasal turbinates is a procedure used to reduce the size of enlarged turbinates in the nose. Turbinates are small structures inside the nose that help filter and humidify the air we breathe. In some children, the turbinates can become chronically swollen due to allergies, colds, or other causes, leading to a blocked nose, mouth breathing, snoring, or poor sleep.
When medications such as nasal sprays or antihistamines do not provide enough relief, a minor surgical procedure called cautery may be recommended to shrink the turbinates and improve airflow.
Your child may benefit from turbinate cautery if they have:
All surgical procedures carry some risks, but complications from turbinate cautery are rare. Possible risks include:
Dr Phillips will discuss all risks with you before the procedure.
Turbinate cautery is usually performed for younger children (<12 years of age) under general anaesthetic (your child will be asleep during the procedure). It takes approximately 5-10 minutes and is often combined with other procedures such as adenoidectomy to help alleviate nasal obstruction. Using a fine instrument, Dr Phillips applies controlled heat to the turbinates to reduce their size. This helps open the nasal passages without removing any major tissue.
The procedure is done entirely through the nostrils—there are no cuts on the outside of the nose or face.
Contact the clinic or your GP if your child experiences:
A follow-up appointment with Dr Phillips will be arranged 1–2 weeks after surgery to check healing and ensure everything is progressing well.
If you’d like to discuss this procedure or explore suitable treatment options, please get in touch with Dr Nicholas Phillips’ clinic.
To book with Dr Phillips, you’ll need a referral from your GP or specialist. Questions? Call our team — we’re happy to help.
