Sinus Surgery for Sinusitis
Surgery Overview
In traditional sinus surgery, an opening is
made into the sinus. The opening may be made from inside the mouth or through
the skin of the face. See a picture of the locations of the
facial (paranasal) sinuses.
- There are a number of possible approaches
depending on the location of the infected sinus and what the doctor
prefers.
- Working through the incision, the doctor can remove tissue
that is blocking the sinus and preventing drainage.
- More extensive
procedures may involve leaving a temporary opening to help drain the
infection.
Most of these procedures require admission to a
hospital.
What To Expect After Surgery
Recovery from surgery may
involve:
- Packing the nose with gauze to absorb blood and
other drainage. The packing may be changed several times a day or left in place
for a few days.
- Using
saltwater nasal washes (saline lavage or irrigation)
to keep the sinuses moist.
- Avoiding activities such as blowing the
nose, strenuous exercise, and bending forward for a few days.
- Using
a humidifier to keep room air moist, especially in the bedroom.
Why It Is Done
Traditional sinus surgery may be done
if:
- Medications have failed to cure chronic
sinusitis.
- Endoscopic surgery is
unsuccessful. For more information, see the topic Endoscopic Surgery for
Sinusitis.
- Complications such as meningitis could develop from the sinusitis.
How Well It Works
Traditional surgery is an effective
method of treating chronic sinusitis or sinusitis that has caused
complications.1
Risks
Serious risks include:
- Heavy bleeding.
- Leakage of the
fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
- Inflammation of the
membrane that covers the brain
(meningitis).
- Blindness.
- Death.
What To Think About
Endoscopic surgery has become the
standard type of surgery done for chronic sinusitis. But traditional surgery is
still the best choice in certain cases. The type of surgery you have will
depend on which sinuses are affected and how severely they are damaged.1 For more information, see the topic Endoscopic Surgery for
Sinusitis.
Surgical treatment of sinusitis should be considered
only when more conservative approaches, such as home treatment and medications,
have failed.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
References
Citations
- Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (2005). The diagnosis and management of sinusitis: A practice parameter update. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 116(6 Suppl): S13–S47.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology |
|---|
| Last Revised | September 12, 2012 |
|---|
Last Revised:
September 12, 2012
Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (2005). The diagnosis and management of sinusitis: A practice parameter update. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 116(6 Suppl): S13–S47.
