We offer premier sinus surgical treatment options for conditions that either require surgery or aren’t responding to other medical or procedural treatment plans. Most of these can be managed or cured using nonsurgical treatments.
In some cases, though, our physicians may recommend surgical solutions. Whether or not you’ll require surgery depends entirely on your individual health and personal needs. Some examples of conditions that may require sinus surgery include:
- Chronic sinusitis.
- Sinus trauma.
- Nose bleeds.
- Chronic stuffiness.
- Chronic breathing issues.
What Sinus Surgery Options Are Available?
Depending on your condition, insurance, lifestyle and symptoms, your ENT physician may recommend one or more surgical treatment options. Some of the most common procedures we perform in-house or at our outpatient surgery center include:
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is used to improve nasal drainage and open up the nasal passageways. To perform this outpatient procedure, your doctor uses an endoscope (a small probe with a camera on the end) to enter your sinuses and remove problematic tissues and diseased sinus mucosa.
- FESS with Computer Image Guidance is another endoscopic surgery option for severe forms of chronic sinusitis or nasal blockage that can’t be treated using normal sinus surgery methods. It relies on a three-dimensional mapping system created from CT scans for extreme precision.
- Balloon Sinuplasty uses a small balloon catheter inserted into the sinuses then inflated to open up the nasal passageways. Once the sinuses reach the desired width, the balloon is deflated and removed, leaving more space in the passageway.
What Is FESS?
The goal of FESS is to open up the sinuses, allowing normal drainage of fluids to occur. Without proper ventilation, mucus builds up in the sinuses, leading to infection.
To determine if you are a candidate for FESS, your doctor will thoroughly examine your ears, nose and throat, looking for obstructions and other abnormalities such as nasal polyps. If your chronic sinusitis fails appropriate medical treatment and your symptoms are significant, Dr. Stolovitzky may recommend surgery.
FESS is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. An endoscope is inserted in the nose, and the camera is used to visually inspect the sinus openings. The surgeon relies on these images in order to remove excess obstructive tissue.
The surgery is performed through the nostrils, making it a less intrusive procedure that won’t leave scars or cause facial swelling or bruising. Post-operative care includes flushing the nasal passages to keep debris from building up. In some cases, antibiotics or steroids may be prescribed in order to speed up the recovery process.
Each surgical procedure requires a different recovery period. Patients who undergo FESS or image guided surgery can expect to recover after three to five days. They should refrain from strenuous physical activity during this period and may need to change dressings and take pain medication. Balloon sinuplasty involves no cutting of tissue or bone, and patients generally recover more quickly.
Your doctor can advise which sinus surgery is best for you based upon your symptoms and unique condition.
Call Dr. Stolovitzky at (404) 921-5474 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
