Definition of Turbinectomy

Turbinectomy: Removal of a turbinate bone. The turbinate is a bone in the nose; it is an extension of the ethmoid bone, is situated along the side wall of the nose, and is covered by mucous membrane.

For example, submucous turbinectomy (removal of the turbinate bone without removing the overlying mucous membrane) had been found to reduce nasal discharge, sneezing and nasal stiffness in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (annual runny nose from allergy), according to a report in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy (1999;29:1542-1548).