Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

An infection in your nasal passages can cause pressure and headaches in your head and give you a stuffy nose and congestion.

An endoscopic sinus procedure can open your sinuses and clear blockages. If you have recurrent sinus infections or abnormal growths in your sinus, sinus surgery can address these issues. Our goal is to remove what is blocking the drainage pathways of the sinuses such as damaged tissues, mucous membranes, nasal polyps, or tumors.

According to a National Health Interview Survey, 30.8 million adults were diagnosed with sinusitis in 2017. That’s 12.5% of all adults. Sinus problems can arise from allergies, infections from bacteria, fungi or viruses, or polyps that grow on the lining of your sinuses.

Procedures of Sinuplasty

Depending on what is being done, a sinuplasty can take several hours to perform.

Endoscopy

An endoscopic guided biopsy uses a thin, lighted, flexible tube with a camera mounted on the end that provides images for a doctor while she collects a biopsy from a specific area. Your physician can see how and where your sinuses are blocked and use the instrument to take out a polyp or scar tissue.

As with other kinds of biopsy, the results will confirm whether or not the masses are cancerous and help to determine a treatment plan. Endoscopy is usually performed with a local or general anesthetic as an outpatient procedure. Your recovery is faster by not having your surgeon cut into your skin.

Balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a newer type of surgery in which your surgeon inserts a thin tube with a small balloon at one end into your nose, guides it to the blocked area and inflates it to clear the passageway and allow your sinuses to drain better. A balloon sinuplasty is less painful and requires less recovery time because no tissue is cut or removed.

Symptoms of sinus surgery

Many factors can cause sinus problems from abnormal growths and blockages to infections and inflammation in the nasal passages.

Sinusitis

You may be suffering from swelling of the nasal sinuses or passages if you have the following symptoms:

encounter bad-tasting post-nasal drip
experiencing headaches
experiencing thick and discolored nasal drainage
have a regular cough
have a stuffy nose
if you feel pressure around your nose or eyes
if you feel your head is congested
your ears are blocked or you sense a change in your hearing

Nasal Polyps

You may be experiencing nasal polyps if you have swelling in the nasal lining inside your nasal passages and sinuses. These polyps can lead to breathing problems. The most common symptoms for nasal polyps include:

decrease sense of smell or taste
encountering post-nasal drip
experiencing facial pain
experiencing recurrent sinus infections
having a runny nose
noticing many headaches
sensing a blocked nose and difficulty breathing
snoring
suffering from sleep apnea

Risks

There are always some risks involved in any surgery, and for sinuplasty, some of the complications can include bleeding, chronic nasal drainage, infection, and loss of sense of smell or taste. There can also be a breakdown or reoccurrence of the original sinus issues.

Recovery

Your recovery period will depend on your health and the type of surgery. The average recovery takes between three to five days.

Avoid any strenuous activities as instructed by your surgeon
Avoid blowing your nose for the first week after your procedure
Ice pack wrapped in a towel can aid in stopping any bleeding
Keep in mind that you may still get sinus infections
Limit your regular activities for the first two weeks after your surgery
Make sure to take all of your prescribed medications
Nasal irrigation may be necessary
Nasal packing may be used to help control bleeding
When you go to sleep, keep your head raised to help with the swelling
When you sneeze, it is best if you keep your mouth open to not put pressure on your nasal cavities
You may experience mild discomfort and feel fatigue following your procedure
You want to have a friend or family member drive you home after your procedure

Do not hesitate to get in touch with your surgeon if you experience any excessive bleeding, a fever greater than 101.5 F, if there is fluid draining from your nose, or increased swelling in your nose or eyes, severe headaches, or sharp pain.