Sinus surgery is performed to remove obstructive or diseased tissue within the sinus cavities to enlarge passages. This helps to facilitate effective draining of the sinuses to allow infected materials to move through the sinuses more efficiently, thereby reducing the reccurrence of infection. An ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) may prescribe a series of antibiotics, decongestants and nasal steroid sprays to treat acute sinus problems. When the infections are recurrent and/or non-responsive to the medication, the specialist will sometimes recommend surgery, but always as a last resort. Chronic sinusitis caused by blocked sinus passages is easily corrected using sinus surgery to remove the obstruction. However, a thorough diagnostic exam that includes CT scans, x-rays and a number of other tests is required to ensure where the obstruction is, how it is best removed and what the options of doing so may be.
There are three types of sinus surgery – endoscopic sinus surgery, image guided sinus surgery and the Caldwell Luc operation. The endoscopic method utilizes small cameras to guide surgeons during the process. These cameras are fitted on tubes and inserted into the sinus cavities through the nose. Because the sinus cavities are near the brain, eyes and major arteries, these cameras are an extremely important and necessary part of the surgical process. The image guided sinus surgery works much the same way as the endoscopic method, but uses CT scans, real-time information and infrared signals instead of the cameras. This method is used most often when a patient’s sinus anatomy has been severely altered by previous surgeries or is hard to navigate. The Caldwell Luc operation is the most invasive of the three and is generally used when there is a malignancy in the sinus cavities. Its purpose is to drain the maxillary sinus cavity beneath the eye, which is accessed by going through the upper jaw.
What to expect after the surgery:
Because the majority of sinus surgeries are performed through the nostril, there is typically no scarring involved and only minor swelling and discomfort accompany the procedure. Patients will usually have their sinuses packed with gauze or some other material after the procedure. Some has to be removed while other types dissolve over time. Bad breath is common when the packing is in place. Drainage from the nose is possible 3-6 days after the procedure. A follow-up with your doctor will be needed within a week of the procedure and saline irrigation will be recommended ten days post-op.
To find out if you are a candidate for sinus surgery, schedule a consultation with our staff for a complete diagnostic work up of your sinuses. Based on the findings of the consultation, our staff will inform you of the best method of treatment for your condition.