You may require sinus surgery if: You have chronic sinusitis that isn't responding to treatment. You have severe sinus polyps. There is an abnormality within the structure of the nose or sinus that requires repair (e.g. deviated septum)
Endoscopic sinus surgery can help people who experience nasal congestion, pain, drainage, difficulty breathing, loss of sense of smell (anosmia) or other symptoms due to: Sinusitis (persistent or chronic sinus infections) Nasal polyps. Nasal obstruction or blockage.
Clearing the nasal and sinus passages allows mucus to drain normally, reducing facial pressure and pain, restoring your sense of smell, and making it easier to breathe.
Some complications associated with sinus surgery include bleeding, infection, and loss of vision.
Like the appendix, sinuses are not a vital organ. One can do justfine without sinuses. People born without sinuses, or who have themsurgically replaced, don't appear to have any significant problems.
Healthcare providers use general or local anesthesia when they do sinus surgery. General anesthesia means you're unconscious and don't feel any pain. People who have local anesthesia may feel pressure during surgery but typically don't feel any pain. They may have mild to moderate pain for about a week after surgery.
You will probably be able to return to work or school in about 1 week and to your normal routine in about 3 weeks. But this varies with your job and the extent of your surgery. Most people feel normal in 1 to 2 months. You will have to visit your doctor regularly for 3 to 4 months after your surgery.
No. Septoplasty itself doesn't change the shape of your nose. But, if you want to change the shape of your nose in addition to correcting your deviated septum, your surgeon may be able to combine septoplasty with rhinoplasty. Ask your healthcare provider about your treatment options.
Some people with allergies can have “allergic fungal sinus infection.” Acute sinus infection lasts three to eight weeks. A sinus infection lasting longer than eight weeks is considered chronic. The sinuses are air-filled cavities.
Most nasal procedures are performed under general anaesthetic, so you will be asleep for the duration of your operation. Some procedures, such as balloon sinuplasty, can be performed under local anaesthetic if required by numbing the nose with injections and sprays.
When there is excessive pain in your eyes, ears, head or throat, you likely have a severe sinus infection. And if you can't open your eyes or you feel dizzy, these are major warning signs that your sinusitis is at a dangerous level.
In the presence of a sinus infection, there is a small risk of developing a more complicated infection like an abscess or meningitis. All operations in the sinuses and nose carry a rare chance (about 0.1%) of creating a leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Orbital involvement in endoscopic sinus surgery occurs in 0.5%64 to 3% of all procedures, and represents 16% to 50% of all complications. Most common risks encountered in endoscopic sinus surgery include bleeding, infection, injury to the eye and its adnexa, cerebrospinal fluid leak, anosmia etc.
Most patients feel well enough to go home the day of surgery. You will most likely go home without nasal packing.
Avoid swimming for 6 weeks. Avoid sawdust, chemicals, and excessive dust for 4 weeks. Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 1 week and then ease back into these activities over 2 to 3 weeks. Ask your doctor when it is safe for you to drive.
Outcome. The results after FESS are good, with most studies reporting an 80 to 90 percent rate of success.
In a recent study, more than 700 patients were surveyed to see what effects the surgery would have on their life and sleep quality. More than 500 patients completed the study and overwhelmingly showed marked improvement in their overall sleep cycles and quality of life.
Sleeping: Please sleep with the head on two elevated pillows to decrease nasal congestion and bleeding from the nose. If you have been prescribed a CPAP machine, do not use until your doctor says it is safe; sleep in a recliner chair with your head elevated in the meantime.
You may have some bruises around your nose and eyes. Your nose may be sore and will bleed. This may last for several days after surgery. The tip of your nose and your upper lip and gums may be numb.
This surgery can take as long as four hours, or be as short as 30 minutes, depending on the degree of sinus involvement.
Instead, patients may find relief from rhinoplasty congestion by using a gentle saline spray. On average, patients can expect breathing through the nose after rhinoplasty to feel more comfortable after 1 – 3 weeks, though some patients may have a feeling of nasal congestion for several months.
Risk of sinusitis in an ageing person
Furthermore, in the elderly, the clearance of the mucus from the nose is less efficient. “The combination of a thick mucus which the body is unable to clear efficiently together with the lower immunity results in a higher risk of sinusitis in the elderly,” says Dr Teo.