Sinus surgery, or endoscopic sinus surgery, is a procedure used to treat chronic sinus problems that don’t improve with medications. It aims to restore normal drainage from the sinuses and improve breathing, reduce infections, and relieve facial pain or pressure.
Common Types of Sinus Surgery
- Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
- The most common type.
- Uses a small camera (endoscope) inserted through the nostrils—no external incisions.
- Removes blockages like polyps, inflamed tissue, or bone to reopen natural sinus drainage pathways.
- Balloon Sinuplasty
- A minimally invasive procedure.
- A small balloon is inserted and inflated to widen the sinus openings, then removed.
- Often done in-office with local anesthesia.
- Caldwell-Luc Procedure
- An older or alternative method for accessing the maxillary sinus through the upper lip.
- Used when endoscopic methods are not feasible.
- Image-Guided Sinus Surgery
- Advanced technology using CT imaging to guide instruments in real time—useful in complex or revision cases.
🔍 Conditions Treated with Sinus Surgery
- Chronic sinusitis (lasting >12 weeks)
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated septum (when combined with septoplasty)
- Sinus tumors or cysts
- Fungal sinus infections
- Mucocele (blocked sinus filled with mucus)
- Recurrent sinus infections despite antibiotics
⏱️ Recovery Timeline
- Day of surgery: Usually outpatient.
- 1–2 weeks: Mild swelling, congestion, bloody discharge—normal and manageable.
- 1 month: Significant healing and symptom improvement.
- Full recovery: Around 6 weeks; full benefit may take several months.
✅ Benefits
- Better sinus drainage and airflow
- Fewer infections and less need for antibiotics
- Improved sense of smell and quality of life
- Relief from facial pressure and headaches
⚠️ Risks and Side Effects
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scar tissue formation
- Dry nose or crusting
- Loss of smell (rare but possible)
- Injury to surrounding structures (very rare, especially with image guidance)