Functional Endoscopic Sin Surgery (FESS) uses a nasal endoscope to safely and non-invasively remove diseased tissue from your sinuses and nose, relieving pain and pressure while also restoring smell and improving breathing. FESS can also help alleviate headaches.
Your ENT doctor may suggest FESS as an option if medical treatments for your sinus issues are ineffective. FESS is often advised for chronic sinus infections that fail to improve with medications or other therapies.
Endoscopic Surgery
Sinuses are an area prone to inflammation and infection that affect millions of people each year. Most can get through colds without much discomfort; those suffering from chronic sinusitis will have symptoms lasting months or years – the best way to combat such problems would be functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
FESS is an outpatient surgical procedure that allows physicians to observe underlying anatomy directly without using external incisions, making it the go-to choice for treating sinus pathology such as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
Dr. Daneshrad uses the latest advancements in sinus and nose care, such as functional endoscopic sinus surgery, nasal septoplasty and balloon sinuplasty. These techniques help him treat sinus issues such as recurrent infections, nasal congestion, impaired sense of smell and chronic headaches caused by sinus blockage. For patients requiring greater structural modifications he also offers sinus augmentation surgery.
An endoscope with either 0 or 30-degree magnification is used to begin surgery. Once inside, an ethmoid bulla is encountered which should be dissected using either powered debrider, curette, or punch forceps; with care taken to preserve mucosa and avoid damage to nearby structures. Dissection should continue posteriorly until reaching basal lamella where dissection continues until basal lamella penetration takes place and continues with middle turbinate preservation to avoid increasing chances of lateralization, scarring and blocking sinus drainage or air flow.
During surgery, sinuses will be examined to identify where the issue lies as well as identify any possible complications that may arise. By using an image-guided system, surgeons are able to visually locate lesions and tumors for removal, which aids complete sinus dissection with negative margins while decreasing risks such as cerebral spinal fluid leaking into surrounding structures, which could result in meningitis or double vision. After surgery, recovery time is minimal. Most patients can return to work and feel significantly better within one week of having had the procedure, with symptoms similar to having a bad head cold: congestion in the nose and sinuses along with occasional pain that can be controlled with extra-strength Tylenol. But as quickly as a week passes most are back at work feeling much healthier than they have in years!
Balloon Sinuplasty
At times, chronic sinus infections can be debilitating for some patients. When medications fail to manage symptoms effectively, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists offer surgery to open blocked sinus passageways for easier breathing and drainage – often providing same-day relief from painful sinus symptoms as well as a significant decrease in infections.
Balloon sinuplasty is one of the most frequently performed surgeries available. Your ENT surgeon uses an endoscope to locate inflamed sinuses, then administers topical anesthesia before inserting a catheter containing a small balloon at its tip into the sinus cavity and inflating it – expanding and restructuring its walls by expanding and contracting when inflated – before finally being removed and rinsed with saline solution to clear away debris and mucus accumulations from inside it.
This procedure can be very helpful for individuals who have not responded to traditional medication therapy, including nasal decongestant medication and rinses, prescription nasal steroids, antibiotics and oral corticosteroids. It’s particularly useful if a sinus infection has persisted for over 12 weeks or four or more times each year – less invasive than traditional sinus surgery which involves cutting away bone or tissue to open up sinuses again.
Not only is this technology highly effective, it is also safer than more invasive surgical approaches and causes much less bruising, swelling and bleeding than more invasive approaches. With FDA clearance as an FDA-cleared system it also serves to be faster and more comfortable than traditional sinus surgery procedures.
North Shore Sinus and Facial Plastic Surgery is excited to provide innovative treatments for chronic sinus infections. If you would like more information on how we can assist in alleviating painful sinus symptoms, reach out to our office now – we look forward to speaking with you!
Image-Guided Surgery
An infection of your sinuses (sinuses) is an uncomfortable and debilitating condition that impacts areas inside your nose and head (sinuses). Sinuses provide spaces to support lighten your skull, give resonance to your voice, and provide space for mucus drainage from them – this causes the area around your eyes to feel blocked with swelling and congestion; you may also experience headaches or pain in the forehead, nose or cheeks – these persistent issues often recur despite treatment plans, making life uncomfortable despite treatment being put aside or simply ignored altogether.
At home remedies for sinus infections can include antihistamines, nasal sprays, and over-the-counter decongestants; you can also try using saline solutions to hydrate the sinuses to decrease inflammation. Furthermore, tobacco smoke or any other pollution could irritate your throat or nose further and should be avoided to ensure an optimal recovery process.
If your symptoms continue, your healthcare provider may suggest functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). FESS is a minimally invasive surgery using nasal endoscopes to restore sinus functionality and relieve obstructions. FESS offers many advantages over older, open sinus procedures as it doesn’t involve facial incisions and usually leads to less post-op pain and bleeding.
FESS is performed by inserting a nasal endoscope in your nostrils and inserting surgical tools alongside it to remove bone, diseased tissue or polyps that are blocking your sinuses. Your healthcare provider will then place packing material inside your nose in order to absorb any blood or discharge that occurs as part of this procedure.
After your procedure, it is recommended that you rest at home for at least a week following it. As soon as you feel ready, return to work or other activities. Furthermore, it is wise to attend all follow-up appointments so your doctor can assess how your symptoms are progressing and ensure proper healing is taking place.
If allergies are to blame for your sinus infections, your healthcare provider might refer you to an allergist for testing and treatment. An allergist can provide allergy shots that gradually build immunity against substances which trigger your sinusitis; over time this could reduce allergy-induced sinus issues significantly.
Computer-Assisted Surgery
Chronic sinusitis requires more comprehensive treatments, including medication, lifestyle adjustments and home treatments such as nasal irrigation. Surgery has become an integral component of treatment plans in medical and otolaryngology practices across the world to alleviate congestion and restore drainage pathways; its purpose being to reduce congestion while increasing drainage by eliminating obstructions to drainage while still preserving nasal lining and palate lining structures as well as proper ostiomeatal relationships in sinuses.
Balloon sinus surgery (also referred to as balloon sinuplasty) is a minimally invasive procedure performed in an office environment under local anesthetic. A soft balloon catheter is placed into the nose to expand and open natural sinus openings; this restores normal sinus flow and aeration, relieves facial pressure and pain relief, as well as alleviating other symptoms associated with sinusitis. Furthermore, balloon sinuplasty may help decrease frequency and severity of sinus infections.
At an image-guided evaluation, our surgeon will be able to assess whether or not you are suitable for sinus surgery based on factors like sinus polyps, deviated septum deviations and past or recurrent surgeries or infections. If not suitable for surgery, alternative options such as polyp removal or non-surgical solutions will be discussed as possible solutions.
Whenever we perform sinus surgery, we utilize advanced computer-assisted techniques to ensure optimal results with minimal bleeding and shorter recovery times. These advanced tools also prove invaluable in handling complex or revision cases or correcting previous miscalculations in your anatomy.
Postoperatively, you may experience discomfort due to sinus surgery; this typically resolves after one week and over-the-counter acetaminophen can help alleviate it. If your discomfort continues after this point, please call our office.
Cleveland Nasal Sinus & Sleep Center is committed to your health and well-being, taking measures to avoid COVID-19 spread within our office. For your safety, no one who has had contact with an individual infected with COVID-19 will be permitted into our space.
