FESS/Sinus Surgery

Who Needs Sinus Surgery?

Sinus surgery, especially Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), is generally recommended in the following scenarios:

• Chronic sinusitis: When there is chronic sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) that does not go away even after comprehensive medical treatment such as antibiotics, saline irrigation, and nasal corticosteroids for over 12 weeks.
• Nasal polyps: When there are nasal polyps (noncancerous growths) in the lining of the nasal cavity/passage or sinuses, obstructing airflow and drainage, and leading to uncomfortable breathing, recurrent infections, and loss of smell.
• Structural abnormalities: When there are anatomical deviations in the nasal cavity or sinuses, like a deviated septum, narrow sinus passages, and concha bullosa, causing congestion and sinus infections.
• Presence of sinusitis complications: When there are complications like sinus-related eye problems, meningitis, and/or brain abscesses.
• Fungal sinusitis: When there is fungal sinusitis, that needs surgery to remove the fungal mass along with infected tissue.
• Sinus tumors: There may be the presence of benign or malignant tumors in the sinuses that will need surgery to restore normal sinus function.

An ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist will consider various factors like your symptoms, infections, and the results of imaging studies to decide whether you need surgery or not. The surgery aims to improve your quality of life by reducing the frequency of sinus infections and related symptoms. 

Why do People call FESS as Sinus Surgery?

People often refer to FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery) as ‘sinus surgery.’ This is because FESS targets sinus-related issues such as sinusitis, nasal polyps, and other conditions affecting sinus cavities. 

The term ‘sinus surgery’ is a broad term that encompasses a range of surgical procedures. However, because FESS surgery has gained much recognition due to its effectiveness compared to traditional sinus surgery, FESS is itself commonly termed as ‘sinus surgery.’ 

What Happens After Sinus Surgery - Recovery and Outlook

Recovery varies from person to person based on one’s health, the type of surgery, and postoperative care. After Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) or sinus surgery, the recovery is typically as follows:

• Mild pain and congestion: You can expect mild to moderate pain, nasal congestion, and swelling during the initial days of recovery.
• Medications: Make sure to take all prescribed medications as instructed. This will help manage any pain and discomfort and also prevent complications such as an infection.
• Avoid strenuous activities: You will need to avoid any strenuous activities, for at least 2 weeks to prevent any complications.
• Avoid blowing your nose: You must ensure that to avoid blowing your nose for at least about 10 to 14 days post the procedure. 
• Saline: You may use nasal saline rinses to keep your nasal passages clean and moist.
• Avoid nasal irritants: Stay away from cigarette smoke, allergens, and pollutants to prevent any form of irritation and inflammation in the nasal passages.
• Follow-up care: Make sure to attend all follow-up appointments in order to monitor the recovery and address any concerns early.

Most patients undergo a significant improvement in their quality of life after FESS. Most people experience significant relief from sinus-related issues. Also, the success of the surgery varies depending on factors like the surgeon’s skills, the severity of the condition, and the patient’s adherence to the post-op instructions and lifestyle modifications.  

FESS/Sinus Surgery: Risks / Benefits

Functional Endoscopy Sinus Surgery (FESS) has come up as a mainstay for treating chronic sinusitis and many other sinus-related conditions. However, like any other surgery, FESS also comes with its set of possible complications and benefits.

Risks:

• Bleeding and infection 
• Recurrence of symptoms
• Changes in the sense of smell
• Scar tissue formation inside the sinuses
• Injury to the eyes or surrounding tissues
• Temporary changes in sense of smell or taste 

Benefits: 

• Improved nasal breathing
• Reduced frequency and severity of sinus infections
• Relief from symptoms like facial pain, reduced sense of smell, congestion, and headaches
• More minimally invasive than the traditional technique, that means, less postoperative pain, shorter recovery time and minimal scarring
• Improved quality of life and overall wellbeing