Do I Have To Have The Operation
In some patients an operation can be avoided by use of antibiotics and steroid medicines, and surgery is usually only considered when this has failed. If you have little trouble by way of symptoms, or have other conditions that make surgery or anaesthetics high risk, an operation may not be the best way to help you.
Sinus surgery is very effective in about 90% of patients, but sometimes sinus problems can come back in the future, and roughly 1 in 8 patients will need another sinus operation within 5 10 years.
Why Is Sinus Surgery Performed
Sinus infections are usually treated with medication rather than surgery. Sinus surgery may be necessary when those infections are recurrent or persistent. Sinus surgery is most commonly used to treat chronic sinusitis , but may be needed for other sinus problems.
Surgery involves enlarging the openings between the sinuses and the inside of the nose so air can get in and drainage can get out. It may involve removing infected sinus tissue, bone or polyps. Modern sinus surgery has less post-surgical bleeding, is less invasive and involves a shorter recovery time than sinus surgery in the past.
How To Prepare For Sinus Surgery
You should typically avoid over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin for a week before your sinus surgery. In certain cases, such as after a cardiac stent, people shouldnt be off their medications for too long. To be safe, ask the surgeon how long they want you off of your medications.
Begin to irrigate the sinus passages with a saline spray, as well. You should also arrange for a ride to and from your procedure. You will not be able to drive home.
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How Much Pain Is There With This Surgery
Every patient tolerates pain differently. Most patients manage sinus surgery pain with oral pain pills. Your doctor can tell you what to expect, based on the type of surgery you have. Facial swelling or bruising is rare, but the inside of your nose will be swollen and sore for a while. This may make breathing through your nose difficult for about two weeks.
It can be painful when your doctor removes the nasal packing from your nose at a follow-up appointment after surgery. This is because tissue and fluid inside your nose can stick to traditional packing material as the nose heals. Medtronic offers dissolvable nasal packing that may help the inside of your nose heal faster1 and is gradually resorbed by the body, so you dont have to endure the painful removal of traditional nasal packing.
Berlucchi M, Castelnuovo P, Vincenzi A, Morra B, Pasquini E. Endoscopic outcomes of resorbable nasal packing after functional endoscopic sinus surgery: a multicenter prospective randomized controlled study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2009 266:839-45.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
What Do They Do In Sinus Surgery
Our surgeons can correct structural problems within the nasal passages and sinuses and remove polyps or other tissue blocking the nasal passages. Clearing the nasal and sinus passages allows mucus to drain normally, reducing facial pressure and pain, restoring your sense of smell, and making it easier to breathe.
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Purpose Of Sinus Surgery
The sinuses are an interconnected network of hollow cavities in the skull that are situated in the cheeks , between the eyes , between the eyebrows , and in the forehead .
Sinus surgery is typically indicated when conservative treatment optionsincluding lifestyle changes like smoking cessation and the appropriate treatment of allergies have been exhausted.
Among the common indications for sinus surgery are:
- Refractory chronic sinusitis
Sinus surgery can also be used to biopsy masses for evaluation in the lab or for certain procedures involving the eye socket, including optic nerve decompression, orbital decompression, and dacryocystorhinostomy .
Quicker Sinus Surgery Recovery Than In Years Past
Diagnosis and treatment are always unique to the individual as well as everyones individual healing process. That being said, sinus surgery has been around for many years, and as techniques, technologies, and medical understanding have improved, recovery time has gone down. Today, the average recovery time for the most commonly performed functional endoscopic sinus surgery ranges from several days to a couple of weeks.1
Its important to note that recovery is a gradual process. For example, you may be able to start exercising again within a week of surgery, or it may take a little longer. However, that doesnt mean the sinuses have fully healed. As your healing progresses, youll be able to do more day-to-day activities.
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Potential Complications And Risks Of Sinus Surgery
Like any surgical procedure, sinus surgery does have risks.
The serious complications of sinus surgery are rare. You may experience severe bleeding after the surgery. If you bleed too much, you may need a blood transfusion. Some people have vision problems or a decreased sense of smell. Any surgery of the ethmoid sinus carries a risk of creating a leak in the fluid that surrounds your brain. This would require further surgery to fix.
If you experience a severe headache that wont go away, redness or swelling around your eyes, or a high fever after your surgery, you need to get in touch with your doctor. Most likely, they will want to see you just to make sure there isnt an infection developing.
You can decrease your risk of complications after surgery by following your doctors instructions. You should also be careful of your activity levels in the three weeks afterward.
What Instructions To Follow After Fess Surgery
After proper consultation with the doctor, the patient should take leave from their work so that they can rest properly. Also, prior to the surgery, he or she should ask someone to accompany them to the hospital and drive them back home after.
During the discharge, the doctor provides a list of dos and donts that patients should follow after the surgery. This ensures that the side effects are curbed as well as the patient is able to recover fast. Below are some general instructions that ENT doctors advise to follow-
- Avoid excessive straining or heavy lifting or blowing the nose for at least 10 days of the surgery or else, this can cause bleeding.
- After 1 week of the surgery, the patient can start light exercising and normal workout 2 weeks after the surgery.
- Do not take aspirin or Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motril, Advil and Aleve for two weeks after the surgery. Take these medicines only after proper consultation with the doctor.
- After surgery, to get relief from the stuffiness and open the nasal airways, use nasal saline mist spray every 2-3 hours. Fortunately, these sprays are easily available over-the-counter. However, make sure you avoid using steroid nasal sprays.
- The day following the surgery, start irrigating the sinuses with saline rinse kits. Doctors prescribe nasal irrigation at least twice a day. This irrigation technique cleans out the debris and bloody discharge inside the nose and sinuses.
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Can I Blow My Nose
It is important that you do not blow you nose for the first 48 hours following your operation. Your surgeon will advise you on when you can start to gently blow your nose. Some doctors recommend the use of drops, ointments and salt water sprays after the operation. You will be given specific instructions by the ward staff before your discharge from hospital. Some mucus and blood stained fluid may drain from your nose for the first week or two following the operation and this is normal. Heavy bleeding should be reviewed by a doctor. It is important to stay away from dusty and smoky environments while you are recovering.
How Do I Prepare For Sinus Surgery
Sinus Surgery Pre & Post Operative Instructions
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What Happens On The Day Of Sinus Surgery
- It is important that patients know precisely what time they are to check-in with the surgical facility, and that they allow sufficient preparation time. Bring all papers and forms, including any preoperative orders and history sheets.
- Wear comfortable loose fitting clothes that do not have to be pulled over their head. Leave all jewelry and valuables at home, including earrings, watches, rings, etc. Remove all make-up with a cleansing cream. Patients should thoroughly wash their face with soap and water. Do not apply make-up or cream to the face. If possible, avoid using hair clips or other materials to hold up hair.
- Do not take any medication unless instructed by the doctor or the anesthesiologist. Usually, in the pre-operative holding room, a nurse will start an intravenous infusion line and the patient may be given a medication to help them relax.
The First Week After Surgery
Other recommendations to encourage healing during your first week of recovery include:
- Dont blow your nose. Use a saline rinse to clear your nose.
- Sneeze with your mouth open. Dont avoid sneezing, but if possible try to keep your mouth open.
- Avoid strenuous activities. This includes biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercises. Light walking and household activities are OK.
- Dont bend over or lift anything heavy. Avoid lifting anything over 10 pounds.
- Avoid swimming. You can take a shower or bath, using lukewarm water.
- Use a humidifier. This will keep the air in your home moist.
- Keep your mouth clean. Use salt-water or alcohol-free mouthwash after each meal and before bedtime.
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How Long Does Sinus Surgery Recovery Take
Sinus surgery recovery times vary by patient and by type of procedure. The general rule is that patients will need seven to 10 days of rest before returning to work or school. There are guidelines for patients to follow for a few weeks after the sinus surgery until they are completely healed.
It is common in the first week after sinus surgery for a patient to feel extreme fatigue because of the complications of breathing normally. It is important for the patient to rest and sleep as often as necessary. For the first few days to a week following sinus surgery, the patient should use extra pillows to elevate the head while sleeping or resting. This will help decrease bleeding and swelling.
Nasal saline spray can be used every two to three hours during sinus surgery recovery to make the nose feel more comfortable. Sinus irrigations are critical to sinus surgery recovery, and the patient will begin using them twice a day starting the day after surgery. The irrigation is soothing and aids in the removal of debris left behind in the sinuses after the surgery.
What Happens During Sinus Surgery
You will receive local or general anesthesia for the procedure. The surgery may last from 1 to 3 or more hours depending on the type of surgery being performed. When the surgery is finished you will be taken to a recovery room to wake up from the anesthetic. Before leaving the surgery center you will be given instructions on what to do at home to help speed up your recovery and healing.
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Can I Sleep On My Side 2 Weeks After Rhinoplasty
Azizzadeh recommends his patients avoid sleeping on his or her side or front for the first few weeks after a nose surgery. Dr. Azizzadeh also recommends a rhinoplasty patient to sleep elevated with two to three extra pillows to try to reduce facial swelling for the first few weeks following surgery.
What Happens During Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Endoscopic sinus surgery is usually performed under a general anaesthetic but for minor procedure a local anaesthetic and sedation can be used. The operation usually takes between one and two hours.
The operation is performed through your nose and does not result in any facial scars or change to the outside shape of your nose. Your surgeon will use a small tube with a special lens called an endoscope to examine your each of your nasal passages. They will also use special instruments to remove any polyps and to widen the passages from your sinuses into your nose to allow for normal ventilation and draining.
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Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Recovery Time
People are often concerned about the recovery after the Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery or FESS. Ideally, patients suffering from acute or chronic sinusitis should consider undergoing surgery. Patients who are not satisfied with the results of medicines or antibiotics should also consider this option. With the help of FESS surgery, the ENT Specialists are able to cure deviated septum, nasal polyps, acute or chronic sinusitis, and enlarged turbinates. Doctors explain that the success of the sinus surgery depends majorly on the recovery.
Take this article as a guide to the recovery after the FESS surgery. This primarily covers the common questions that people have related to the recovery of sinus surgery.
What Are The General Instructions And Follow
In many cases, packs or nasal packing is placed in the nose to control postoperative bleeding. The surgeon will tell the patient when to return to the office to have these packs removed. Patients may need to call the office to schedule this postoperative appointment. Please arrange for someone to drive the patient to and from the office for this first visit in case any complications develop. Patients should eat a light meal before coming and avoid taking excessive pain medications. In addition, most patients will also have several subsequent office visits scheduled to assess healing, remove crusts, and insure a speedy recovery. These visits are very important as the surgeon may use the endoscope to clean up the sinuses and perform further debridement if necessary. This post-operative surveillance by the surgeon is very crucial in the individual’s long-term success with the surgery.
After the packing has been removed, individuals may breathe through their nose, but should not blow or sneeze through it for 7 to 10 days to reduce the chance of bleeding. If a person must sneeze, they should try to sneeze through an open mouth. Many surgeons tell patients to expect some light blood-tinged drainage from the nose for several days. If bleeding becomes excessive, apply an ice pack and rest quietly with head elevated while applying mild to moderate pressure to the nose. If bleeding continues, call the doctor’s office.
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How Should I Sleep After Sinus Surgery
Keep your head elevated to help reduce bleeding and swelling after your operation. The first night after surgery, elevate your head with extra pillows or sleep in a recliner. If you have packing material and splints in your nose, make sure they stay in place. If the packing gets clogged, breathe through your mouth.
How Long Is Recovery Time
Your recovery time depends on your overall health and which sinus surgery you have . Usually, you should plan to be away from work or school for at least several days after your surgery. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how best to care for yourself to help speed recovery.
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What Are The Types Sinus Surgery
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery : This is now the most common type of sinus surgery. It can be done on an outpatient basis. It is done by looking through the nostril with a nasal endoscope to see the inside of the nose and the entrances to the sinuses. Other instruments are used through the same nostril to perform the procedure
- Image-guided surgery: FESS is often done with an image-guided system that uses computed tomography scans to aid the surgeon in identifying the anatomy and removing as little tissue as necessary. This system helps the surgeon to know when they are getting close to the margin of the sinus and thus improves safety as well.
Other procedures may be used for more serious sinus problems, including the Caldwell Luc operation and endoscopic skull base surgery.
What Happens During The Sinus Surgery Procedure
In the operating room, the anesthesiologist will usually use a mixture of a gas and an intravenous medication to put the patient to sleep and to maintain anesthesia at a safe and comfortable level. During the procedure, the patient will be continuously monitored. The surgical team is prepared for any emergency. In addition to the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, there will be a nurse and a surgical technician in the room. The whole procedure usually takes several hours. The surgeon will come to the waiting room to talk with any family or friends once the patient is safely in the recovery room.
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