Patients suffering from chronic sinus symptoms often receive relief via endoscopic sinus surgery. This procedure removes any blockage in the sinuses that cause pain, drainage, impaired breathing and other symptoms.
Thanks to the advancement in technology and technique, sinus surgery does not require external incisions and nasal packing, which historically resulted in substantial pain and a lengthier recovery process. With the emergence of high resolution endoscopes and extensive training, sinus surgery is now safe and considered routine. An endoscope is a thin high-resolution camera that fits directly into the nose allowing the surgeon to see into the sinuses. Using an endoscope allows the procedure to be performed entirely inside the nose, without incisions. The result is minimal pain and a much shorter recovery period.
Endoscopic sinus surgery takes anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. You may be under either local or general anesthesia, depending on what you and your doctor decide is best for you. Endoscopic surgery is an outpatient procedure and you should plan to have someone drive you home, as you will not be able to drive yourself.
A small endoscope will then be inserted into your sinuses so that the surgeon can get a detailed look at what is happening as they perform the surgery. The surgeon will proceed to remove any blockages, tiny sections of bone, or polyps from your sinuses. Your doctor may also reshape or repair the direction of your septum during surgery to help you breathe more easily.
Our practice now offers a breakthrough treatment called the PROPEL® Sinus Stent. This dissolvable stent is placed at the end of sinus surgery to keep the sinuses open, eliminating the need for gauze packing used in older surgical techniques. PROPEL delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly to the healing tissue and is clinically proven to improve surgical outcomes and enhance healing by reducing post-operative scarring and the need for additional surgical procedures and oral steroids1 and their potential side effects. The stent’s lightweight design means patients usually cannot even tell that it is there. And since PROPEL dissolves within 45 days, no removal is necessary.
After sinus surgery, at home care is essential to make sure your sinuses heal correctly. Healing may take up to five days, you can expect some bloody discharge, pain and fatigue. You should also avoid strenuous activities until you get clearance from your doctor.
Endoscopic sinus surgery offers immediate relief from sinus symptoms and quality of life. Most of our patients report substantial relief from breathing difficulties, congestion, nose bleeds and sinus infections shortly after surgery. Individual results may vary.
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