Removal of a turbinate bone: Dr. Big diagnosed Mr. Clarke as having a nasal obstruction which was causing his breathing difficulties, and suggested that a turbinectomy would be a good treatment in his case.

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

Submucous turbinectomy, or the removal of the turbinate bone without removing the overlying mucous membrane, has been found to reduce nasal discharge, sneezing, and nasal stiffness in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (annual runny nose from allergy).