Sinus Surgery

Sinus Surgery

Sinus surgery involves the precise removal of diseased sinus tissue with improvement in the natural drainage channels by the creation of a pathway for infected material to drain from the sinus cavities. In most situations, the surgeon will employ endoscopic techniques which allow better and more precise visualization without the need for external incisions. As a result, there is less swelling, bleeding, and discomfort, and a faster recovery from sinus surgery.

Reasons for sinus surgery include:

·         Evidence of chronic sinusitis even after aggressive medical treatment

·         Sinus disease caused by a fungal infection

·         Nasal or sinus polyps

·         Structural abnormalities of the nose or sinuses

·         Sinus infection that has spread to bone

·         Cancer of the sinus

·         Chronic sinusitis with HIV

What are the risks and complications of sinus surgery?

The following complications of sinus surgery have been reported in the medical literature. This list is not meant to be inclusive of every possible complication. It is here for patient information only - not to make patients overly concerned - but to make them aware and more knowledgeable concerning potential aspects of sinus surgery. The surgeon will review the risks and benefits of the surgery when obtaining consent for the operation, and will be able to discuss the chance of these complications with respect to an individual's potential risks of surgery at that time.

·         Failure to resolve the sinus infections or recurrence of sinus problems and/or polyps.

·         Bleeding.

·         Chronic nasal drainage or excessive dryness or crusting of the nose.

·         Need for further and more aggressive surgery.

·         Need for allergy evaluation, treatments, or environmental controls.

·         Failure to improve or resolve concurrent respiratory illness .

·         Failure to resolve associated "sinus or nasal" headaches.

·         Prolonged pain, impaired healing, and the need for hospitalization.

·         Failure to restore or worsening of the sense of smell.