This case is being shared because it has many lessons. Lesson for ENT Surgeon is that we must always make sure that we do not do more than necessary for the problem (in this case the turbinate hypertrophy) and never do anything for something that is not causing any problem (in this case the sinuses were perfectly fine).
Lesson for the patient is as follows:
1) Understand fully what their diagnosis is and what needs to be done to treat it – treatment may be non-surgical or surgical
2) Understand the science(proven logic) behind the treatment
3) Obtain a second opinion especially when in doubt – go back to the first specialist if the second specialist concurs with the first.
This patient had come to see me for a second opinion for her impending second surgery after her first surgery made her nose feel dry, uncomfortable and at times painful everyday affecting her quality of life and occasionally her sleep.
Prior to seeing me she had been having nose block for many years and had gone to see an ENT specialist at a private hospital in KL. She was told to undergo surgery and underwent the following surgeries for her nasal block:
1) Septoplasty – warranted and done fairly well
2) Turbinoplasty – warranted but way overdone
3) Sinus surgery – not warranted at all