Indications for sinus surgery include chronic infections, sinus polyps, and sinus tumors.
Formal sinus surgery is done in the operating room under general anesthesia.
The pre-operative sinus CT scan images are fed into a image-guidance system to help ensure precise location during surgery. All sinuses can be surgically addressed using rigid endoscopes and sinus instruments through the nose. There are no incisions on the face, and there will be no swelling or bruising of the face after surgery. Sinus openings are cleaned and widened, and the sinuses are suctioned and irrigated. Sometimes dissolvable packing and/or dissolvable steroid-eluting implants can be placed as needed.
Post-operative pain is relatively low, and controlled with Tylenol. Post-operative care includes gentle cleanings of the sinuses in the office for 3-6 weeks post-op. Patients should begin noticing improvement within 1-2 weeks. Patients doing saline sinus rinses before and after surgery play an important role in healing. Nasal-sinus improvements usually have life-long benefits.