You might need to consider sinus surgery if you have chronic sinusitis or a persistent sinus infection, and more conservative treatments aren’t relieving your symptoms.

Sinusitis is a condition that results in swelling and inflammation of the cavities around your nasal passages (sinuses). Sinusitis is chronic if it lasts 12 or more weeks each year. Having more than three sinus infections a year is also an indicator that you might need sinus surgery.

Chronic sinusitis may be due to infection, but it can also be due to having narrow or blocked sinus openings or a deviated nasal septum.

When would I need sinus surgery?

Wherever possible, your provider at Ear, Nose & Throat Care, PC, uses non-surgical treatments to address sinus problems before considering surgery.

First, they conduct a thorough physical examination to diagnose the cause of your symptoms. Complete ear, nose, and throat assessments are usually available at your initial visit to evaluate all the contributing factors to your condition.

Allergy testing provides a comprehensive approach to chronic nasal and sinus conditions. Ear, Nose & Throat Care, PC’s expert allergists use the latest technology for skin testing, which is more sensitive and less uncomfortable than traditional allergy testing procedures.

Your provider can also use in-office nasal endoscopic evaluation to see whether any underlying physical abnormalities are contributing to your condition.

Abnormalities in your facial structure may require sinus surgery to resolve your chronic sinusitis, or your provider might recommend sinus surgery if other approaches aren’t relieving your symptoms.

What types of sinus surgery are there?

The Ear, Nose & Throat Care, PC doctors use two main approaches to sinus surgery:

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

To perform FESS, your surgeon inserts an endoscope – a very thin fiber-optic tube – into your nose to examine the openings into your sinuses, then remove any abnormal or obstructive tissues. FESS takes place entirely through your nostrils, so there are no external incisions.

FESS surgery causes far less tissue damage than open surgery and is usually an outpatient procedure. After surgery, you might need nasal packing. Nasal saline washes can help prevent crusting and keep your sinuses clear.

Balloon sinus surgery

Balloon sinus surgery or sinuplasty opens up your sinuses using a special balloon. Your provider inserts the balloon into your sinuses, then inflates it to compress the tissues.

Balloon sinuplasty doesn’t involve making any incisions, so you can have the procedure under local anesthetic in your provider’s office at Ear, Nose & Throat Care, PC.

To find out more about sinus surgery and whether it’s a suitable option for you, call Ear, Nose & Throat Care, PC, or book an appointment online today.