Benefits of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

When sinus surgery was first performed, surgeons would have to reach the sinuses by entering through the cheek area. This often caused scarring and possible disfigurement. In another traditional procedure, surgeons enter the sinus through the upper jaw.

Since endoscopic sinus surgery does not involve cutting through the skin – it is performed entirely through the nostrils – most patients can go home the same day.

Compared to other, more traditional methods, endoscopic sinus surgery:

• Is less painful
• Leaves no visible scars
• Causes less bleeding
• Creates less discomfort after surgery
• Requires less packing in the nose after surgery
• Has a faster recovery period
• Has a higher success rate

About The Sinuses

The sinuses are four hollow spaces filled with air in the skull that surround the eyes.  Air passes in and out of these spaces, as well as mucus which drains through them and out of the nose. They also reduce the weight of the skull and give our voices a nicer sound.

The four sinus cavities are listed below:

• Maxillary - in the cheekbones
• Ethmoid - between the eye sockets
• Frontal - in the forehead and above the eyebrows
• Sphenoid - deep in the head at the back of the nose

Each of these pairs of sinus openings has a channel that leads to the nose. These channels are quite narrow, and when the lining of the channels becomes swollen, blockage results. Endoscopic sinus surgery is designed to increase the amount of air flowing through the sinuses and allow mucus to drain properly out of the nose.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Benefits

The benefits of endoscopic sinus surgery can:

• relieve nasal blockages;
• relieve facial pain;
• improve breathing; and
• improve the sense of smell and taste.

Endoscopic sinus surgery is an effective procedure to correct sinusitis, deviated septum and nasal polyps.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is actually a swelling of the inner lining of the sinuses. This swelling causes the openings of the nose to be blocked so that the mucus inside can no longer drain out. When the mucus cannot drain, the pressure of the blocked fluid creates pain in the face and impairs breathing.

For most people, sinusitis is a temporary condition that goes away with simple treatment.  However, if the symptoms continue for a significant period of time without responding to medication, or if the symptoms are especially severe, surgery may bring about permanent relief.

Symptoms of sinusitis vary from person to person, however the most common symptoms are:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Earache and/or feeling of fullness in the ear
• Thick yellow or green discharge from the nose, sometimes tinged with blood
• Sneezing and/or coughing
• Pain over the bridge of the nose
• Headache that is worse in the morning, when bending forward, or when riding an elevator
• Post-nasal drip from the nose into the throat
• Impaired sense of smell and/or taste
• Pain in the face, eye(s) and/or roof of the mouth or teeth

Deviated Septum

The partition separating the left and right sides of the nose, called the septum is sometimes crooked. This crooked condition is called a deviated septum. Some people are born with this abnormality, but sometimes it is the result of an injury.

Very few people have a perfectly straight septum, but endoscopic sinus surgery is only recommended for those whose septum is crooked enough to cause significant sinus blockage. The surgery can then straighten the septum and improve breathing.

Polyps

A polyp (also called a cyst) is a benign (noncancerous) water-filled swelling about the size of a grape, which develops in the sinuses and causes blockage. They most frequently occur in people who have asthma.

Polyps can sometimes be reduced in size with medication. However, endoscopic sinus surgery has proven to be an excellent method with which to remove polyps and restore normal breathing.

For more information about the benefits of endoscopic sinus surgery, and to inquire if you are a candidate, please do not hesitate to ask any of one of our physicians.