What Is Sinus Surgery?
Sinus surgery performed to open the sinuses and expand the airway in order to treat sinus conditions, such as nasal obstruction, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps and others. Patients may opt to have nose surgery after other treatments have failed or when conditions are severe.
What Conditions Warrant Sinus Surgery?
If you experience any of the following symptoms that are recurring and severe, you may need sinus surgery. Speak with your doctor about your specific symptoms, which may include one or more of the following:
- Stuffy nose
- Sinusitis that will not go away or is recurring
- Pressure or pain in the face
- Discharge
- Headache
- Congestion in sinuses or facial area
- Blurred or fuzzy vision
What Does Sinus Surgery Involve?
Sinus surgery can usually be performed through minimally invasive techniques, requiring no incisions or hospital stays. Your doctor will decide which procedure is best for you after a thorough evaluation of your individual condition. Some of the possible surgeries and what to expect when undergoing each type are listed below.
Preparing for Sinus Surgery
Optimizing Your Health Before the Procedure
Before undergoing sinus surgery, it is essential to ensure that you are in the best possible health. This preparation helps in reducing the risk of complications and can lead to a smoother recovery. Dr. Volpi and the team at New York ENT recommend stopping smoking at least several weeks before the procedure, as smoking can delay healing and increase the risk of infection. It's also important to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure well in advance of your surgery.
Medications to Avoid
Prior to sinus surgery, you may need to adjust or halt certain medications. Blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and certain herbal supplements, can increase bleeding during surgery. Dr. Volpi will provide a comprehensive list of medications to avoid and give specific instructions based on your personal health profile.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Arrival and Preparation
On the day of your surgery at New York ENT, it is important to arrive on time with a companion who can take you home afterward. You'll be guided through any day-of-surgery preparations. This is a good time to ask any final questions you might have about the procedure or post-operative care.
Post-Operative Care and Recovery
Immediate Post-Operative Instructions
After sinus surgery, you will spend a few hours in the recovery area where medical staff will monitor your initial recovery. Common immediate post-operative symptoms include nasal congestion, mild pain, and grogginess from the anesthesia. Dr. Volpi will provide specific instructions tailored to your procedure, which may include nasal sprays, pain management strategies, and tips for reducing swelling.
Home Recovery Tips
Recovery at home is a critical part of the healing process. You should plan to rest with your head elevated to reduce swelling. You will need to avoid participating in strenuous activities, since they can increase blood pressure and lead to unnecessary bleeding. It is also important to stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet to support healing.
Follow-Up Care
Follow-up visits are crucial to ensure proper healing and to monitor for any complications. Dr. Volpi will schedule your first post-operative visit shortly after your surgery. During this visit, he can assess your healing progress, remove any nasal packing or splints, and discuss further recovery expectations.
Long-Term Outcomes and Management
Expected Benefits of Sinus Surgery
The primary goal of sinus surgery is to alleviate chronic sinusitis symptoms and improve quality of life. Most patients experience significant relief from symptoms such as facial pain, nasal congestion, and reduced sense of smell. Long-term, the surgery aims to decrease the frequency and severity of sinus infections and potentially reduce the need for ongoing medication.
Ongoing Sinus Care
Maintaining sinus health after surgery involves a few long-term strategies. Avoiding known allergens, using saline nasal irrigations, and possibly continuing with topical nasal corticosteroid sprays as recommended by Dr. Volpi are all part of managing your sinus health. Regular check-ups at New York ENT will help manage any recurring symptoms or complications.
Balloon Sinuplasty
Balloon sinuplasty is a medical procedure that can treat chronic sinusitis and other sinus-related conditions. It is considered a minimally invasive procedure because it uses an endoscope—or a small tube with a camera at one end—that can be inserted through the nostrils. It does not require any disruption of bone or tissue to have the procedure. While using the endoscope to view the inside of the sinuses, a small balloon is inserted into the sinus passage and is inflated to widen the area. This creates a wider nasal passage and prevents recurring infections.
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Endoscopic sinus surgery is a nasal surgery performed by inserting a thin tube with an attached camera into the nose so that your doctor can visually look at the area. Then, a small surgical instrument is inserted to remove the tissues that are obstructing the area. Endoscopic sinus surgery is minimally invasive, as the whole procedure is performed through a patient’s nostrils.
If you are suffering from sinus-related issues and believe you may need sinus surgery, the first step towards feeling better is to schedule an evaluation with an experienced ear, nose and throat doctor. Board certified physicians with New York ENT have extensive experience diagnosing and treating a wide variety of nasal conditions. Fill out the form on this page or call our office at 212-873-6036 to schedule an appointment today.
