What Are the Most Common Sinus Surgeries?

Sinus infections are no fun. They cause pressure, swelling, and congestion, which can be painful and even debilitating. And if one acute infection isn’t bad enough, some people get them over and over again. We refer to this condition as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). There are surgical procedures that can treat these repeat infections — but when are they necessary?

In this guide, we review the aspects of

• What are the most common sinus surgeries?
• What is the most effective sinus surgery?
• Is sinus curable with surgery?
• When do you need sinus surgery?

Why Would I Get Sinus Surgery?

Sinus surgery is a common procedure for various conditions, including sinusitis, nasal polyps, and deviated septums. Sinusitis is characterized by swelling of the passages and sinuses, leading to symptoms such as stuffy nose, pressure in the nose, eyes, and forehead, coughing, and nasal drainage. Enlarged polyps are swellings of the nasal lining inside the nose, which can cause reduced sense of taste and nasal blockages that could infect the sinuses. Deviated septums block one side of the nose, causing a reduction in airflow.

Septoplasty is an outpatient procedure aimed at correcting issues related to the midline of the nose, restructuring the partition that divides the nostrils called the septum. The septum is made from both bone and cartilage and helps move air into the lungs. Chronic sinusitis often has the compounding issue of congestion and a deviated septum. Septoplasty attempts to redirect the alignment and open the air passages back up by restructuring the bone and cartilage.

Turbinate reduction is another type of sinus surgery that aims to reduce size and swelling, making it easier to breathe. It often requires the use of radiofrequency, involving the insertion of a needle-like instrument into the turbinate. Undergoing turbinate reduction surgery does not affect the size or shape of the nose, and patients should not experience any long-term side effects.

Functional rhinoplasty is a procedure that restructures the bones and cartilage that make up the nose, helping patients remove abnormalities that cause breathing issues. Obstructions that are treatable with antibiotics, allergy treatments, or other less invasive methods respond well to functional rhinoplasty. Doctors can operate from inside the nose, make a small incision, or from the outside of the nose. Balloon sinuplasty is a less invasive procedure designed to help patients find relief from chronic sinusitis symptoms. The doctor inserts a flexible balloon catheter into the sinus passage, and a saline solution is used to flush out mucus and pus.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FES) is a procedure that uses a magnifying endoscope to view the sinuses and remove any affected tissue or bone. The result should produce better drainage, reduce blockages, and flush out infected material while maintaining healthy tissue so the nose can operate normally. FESS is often performed in conjunction with other sinus surgery options like septoplasty.

In Middle Tennessee, each sinus surgery procedure comes with minimal risk factors or long-term side effects, but working with board-certified ENT specialists like OAT is essential to ensure a smooth and successful procedure.

What is the most effective sinus surgery?

Sinus surgery can be beneficial for people with chronic sinusitis who cannot find relief from prescription medications. It opens natural drainage passageways, allowing for better ventilation and drainage, and enabling better medication delivery into the sinuses. Yale Medicine offers several types of sinus surgery, including those not available elsewhere. Sinus surgery can treat various conditions, including chronic sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps, nasal cavity tumors and cancer, enlarged adenoids, enlarged turbinates, and sleep apnea.

Sinus surgery is part of the treatment plan recommended by a sinus doctor based on the nature of the sinusitis. It helps clear blocked nasal passages and clear infection, allowing for easier breathing. Follow-up medication and self-care methods are recommended to minimize recurrence. In 90% of cases, sinus surgery is effective and improves symptoms. The best results are obtained when using nasal irrigation, decongestants, or antibiotics post-surgery. However, the cost of negligence can be high, as chronic sinus infections can lead to serious and sometimes fatal issues.

Conclusion

Chronic sinus issues can disrupt quality of life. Swollen sinuses can reduce the airflow, cause snoring, or cause sleep apnea. The first line of treatment from an ENT specialist is treating your allergies or prescribing antibiotics. Severe cases that don’t respond to this line of therapy aren’t at a lost cause Sinus surgery allows doctors to operate on the nose and sinus cavities to enhance performance and realign the structure. Identify why and what types of surgeries are available for patients.