Is Nasal Surgery Worth It
Nasal surgery is typically recommended for people who suffer from conditions like sleep apnea or chronic sinusitis. We can also use it to correct a deviated septum, a result of a traumatic injury or simply genetics. People who have had nasal surgery report that they are able to breathe more easily and have less trouble with colds and allergies.
However, nasal surgery isn’t right for everyone. It’s important to speak with your doctor before deciding whether or not it’s the right choice for you.
Nasal Surgery: Worth It or Not
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?
If you’re suffering from a severe sinus infection, your initial course of action should be to explore alternatives to surgery, which should be considered a final option. Consider your home and workplace environment — avoid smoke and allergy triggers, and use humidifiers to moisten the air, as dry air can be irritating. Seek treatment for allergies, which may include regular shots. Practice cold prevention by washing your hands often, avoiding sick people and treating illness if it occurs. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to get a flu vaccine, as cold and flu infections can create a breeding ground for rhinosinusitis.
If you continue to get sinus infections after taking these preventive measures, the next step is to receive medical therapy from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. The therapy will likely require several weeks of antibiotics, steroid medications and nasal sprays and irrigations. If you still don’t respond to treatment, your doctor may perform a CT scan to see what’s causing the infection to persist.
Why Would I Get Sinus Surgery?
Several conditions would require the use of sinus surgery to help alleviate symptoms. The most common condition is sinusitis. Sinusitis is the swelling of the passages and sinuses that results in a stuffy nose, pressure in the nose, eyes, and forehead, coughing, nasal drainage, and more.
Another common reason for surgery is a nasal polyp. Enlarged polyps or clusters of them, are swellings of the nasal lining inside the nose. If they expand, a person can experience a 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. Treatments exist to reduce the swelling of the nasal tissue that could contribute to the deviation, but in some instances when the patient doesn’t respond, surgery helps restore balance to airflow.
Types of Sinus Surgery
| Procedure | Description | Purpose | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Septoplasty | An outpatient procedure to correct issues related to the midline of the nose. | Restructures the septum to improve airflow. |
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| Turbinate Reduction | Procedure to reduce swollen turbinates inside the nose. | Improves breathing by reducing nasal obstruction. |
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| Functional Rhinoplasty | Restructures the nose to remove abnormalities causing breathing issues. | Improves airflow into the lungs. |
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| Balloon Sinuplasty | Less invasive procedure for chronic sinusitis relief. | Opens sinus cavities to relieve pressure. |
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| Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) | Uses an endoscope to view and treat sinus issues. | Improves drainage and reduces blockages. |
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Each procedure comes with minimal risks and is best performed by board-certified ENT specialists. If you suspect sinus issues, consider scheduling an appointment with a qualified professional.
Conclusion
Nasal surgery is often necessary for individuals with damaged sinus tissues, polyps, fungal infections, or structural issues that hinder sinus drainage. New techniques in nasal surgery have made it a relatively painless procedure, often performed outpatiently with a short recovery time. Endoscopic sinus surgery, also known as sinusplasty, involves inserting a small endoscope with a camera into the nose, allowing the doctor to perform the surgery without an external incision. The procedure removes diseased tissue, polyps, and possibly bone to create a larger passageway in the sinuses. The surgery has a high success rate, with rare complications, including vision loss. However, untreated chronic sinusitis can also result in vision problems. Follow-up appointments are necessary to track progress and provide postoperative care, including nasal irrigations and nasal sprays. Despite the possibility of a partial cure, proper follow-up care can significantly reduce symptoms.
