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L i v e Yo u n g e r L o n g e r
Sinuses:
When you need surgery
What’s the prognosis?
“Patients typically return to their regular
activity within a few days after sinus
surgery,” reports Dr. Cordes. “Most
people have fewer symptoms and
better quality of life after sinus surgery,
although surgery may not completely
eliminate sinusitis.”
As with any surgery, there are risks
involved with sinus surgery. Your doctor
will consider many factors before
recommending surgery, including your
medical history and nasal anatomy.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 707.462.8855.
The goal of surgery
According to Susan Cordes, MD, otolaryngologist in Ukiah, “If sinuses
don’t drain properly, mucous and other secretions can build up and
become infected. Air also needs to move freely through the sinuses,
or it can become trapped or cause a vacuum. Any of these conditions
can lead to pressure and pain.”
The goal of surgery is to improve drainage and reduce blockage so
that the complex pathways between the sinuses and the nose work
better. Surgery helps by:
•
Enlarging the natural openings of the sinuses.
•
Correcting anatomical problems.
•
Removing growths, called polyps.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS),
which involves inserting a very thin, lighted tool
called an endoscope through the nose. This
allows the surgeon to see the sinuses. Using
microinstruments, small amounts of bone
or tissue are removed to enlarge and clear
blocked areas to improve drainage. Sometimes
the inside anatomy of the nose needs to be
repaired too.
Types of surgery
Image-guided surgery
,
which
involves a multidimensional
mapping system, CT scans
and infrared signals to guide
surgeons through the sinus
passages. The signals and
scans help surgeons know
exactly where to fix the
sinus passages.
Today sinus surgery is usually done entirely through the nose, with no external scars. Surgeons use techniques that cause much
less pain and downtime than older surgical techniques. Sinus surgery options include:
Balloon catheter sinuplasty,
a minimally invasive
technique that uses a soft, flexible wire threaded
through the nose to reach the sinuses. A small
balloon attached to the wire is then gradually
inflated to gently reshape the blocked areas.
Used alone, sinuplasty doesn’t require cutting,
so it preserves the original nasal tissue. But
depending on the location, extent and cause
of sinus problems, doctors may use a hybrid
approach, combining sinuplasty with other sinus
surgery techniques for the best results.
When sinuses become infected, medicine is the first line of defense. Nose drops, saline washes, steroid
sprays, antibiotics and other medications often help reduce swelling and knock down infections. But some
people develop sinus problems that become chronic. Months — or years — of headaches, congestion, pain
and misery can follow. Uncontrolled infections can travel to sensitive areas near the sinuses, including the
eyes and brain. So if aggressive use of medications fails, your doctor may suggest sinus surgery.
Susan Cordes, MD,
Otolaryngologist
