Sinus surgery: all you need to know

How is sinus surgery performed, and who is the ideal candidate for it? Find out in our latest article below as highly esteemed consultant ENT surgeon, Ms Shamim Toma, tells us all we need to know about sinus surgery.

What exactly does sinus surgery entail?

Patients undergoing sinus surgery will, first of all, have general anaesthetic. It will usually be performed as a day-case procedure. We use instruments where we pass cameras and delicate instruments into the nose to help open up the sinuses and help the patient with their breathing. There are no external cuts made on the outside of the patient’s face.

What conditions does sinus surgery help treat?

Sinus surgery can be indicated for many different conditions. The most common conditions that we use this surgery for include long-term, ongoing sinus infections, where patients will often have problems breathing through their nose, and in some cases, issues with their sense of smell and taste. Sinus surgery can also be a highly effective treatment option for patients suffering from nasal polyps.

Who is the ideal candidate for sinus surgery?

The ideal candidate for sinus surgery would be a patient who has tried many different treatments (such as antibiotics and nasal sprays) and still has symptoms that are affecting their quality of life.

Before undergoing sinus surgery, patients will undergo a CT scan to examine the sinuses involved. Patients who have nasal polyps and are having a lot of medication and are not seeing an improvement can really benefit from sinus surgery.

What are the most effective alternatives to sinus surgery for patients suffering from sinus problems?

If a patient has ongoing infections and inflammation within the sinuses, patients would receive nasal drops, usually for a couple of weeks, which would be followed by an ongoing nasal spray. This will also be combined with a course of antibiotics for around six weeks.

Patients who have nasal polyps will have a variety of different treatment options, mainly based on nasal steroids. Oral steroids might also be required for patients who have nasal polyps.

What is recovery time like? What can patients expect following sinus surgery?

Average recovery time would be around two weeks, after which you should be able to return to work and normal daily activities. Patients will feel a bit congested in the initial stages after the surgery.

Ms Shamim Toma is a highly regarded consultant ENT surgeon. Visit her Top Doctors profile today to book a consultation with her.