Sinus Surgery
Before an ear, nose, and throat specialist recommends sinus surgery he will prescribe several other medications such as antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, antibiotics, and decongestants for treating acute sinusitis which is also known as an acute sinus infection.
However, if infections keep recurring or not responsive to any of the aforementioned medications he may suggest sinus surgery. Sinus surgery is done to enlarge the openings that drain the sinuses.
Not too long ago even the thought of sinus surgery was often meet with fear by patients, since the procedure involved reaching the sinuses cavities by way of the cheek area. This would leave scarring and could even disfigure the person. However, sinus surgery has advanced and today a trained surgeon can perform sinus surgery with very little discomfort, a brief period of recuperation, and only a few complications.
Before sinus surgery, your surgeon will ask several questions to learn the underlying cause of your acute or chronic sinusitis. In many cases, the problem is found in the anterior ethmoid, which is where the frontal and maxillary sinuses connect to the nose. In order for your surgeon to determine this you may have to have a sinus computed tomography scan, nasal physiology, blood tests, and smell testing.
The most common sinus surgery is called functional endoscopic sinus surgery and is known as FESS. This procedure was developed in the 1950’s in which the idea was to remove al sinus mucosa from the major sinuses. With this method, an endoscope is inserted into the nose for a visual examination of the openings of the sinuses. Today using the best technology, micro-telescopes and instruments and the tissues that are abnormal or the tissue that is causing the obstruction is removed. In practically every procedure, the entire process is done through the nostrils, thus no ugly scars and only a small amount of discomfort has been reported.
The benefits of this method of sinus surgery is that the majority of time it is performed on an outpatient basis. However, some patients may need nasal packing for a few days after surgery and within ten days of surgery, nasal irrigation may be advised to prevent crusting.
Sinus surgery does have a few complications and concerns still today. The sinuses are close to the brain, the eyes and major arteries. The endoscope that is inserted into the nostrils is a small fiber optic tube that if any mistakes are made can cause permanent damage.
Before deciding on sinus surgery, talk with the surgeon about the various methods and learn the benefits and the complications that are associated with the type of surgery he is suggesting.