Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
During surgery, your surgeon uses the endoscope and other instruments to clear blockages. If you have local anesthesia, you'll be awake and may hear sounds or feel tugging. But you shouldn't feel any pain. After blockages are removed, air circulates and mucus can drain normally.
Straightening the Septum
To fix a deviated septum, your surgeon reshapes or trims the cartilage and bone that divide the nose. After surgery there is more breathing space. Enough support remains for the nose to hold its shape.
Removing Polyps
Because polyps can grow in both the nose and sinuses, removing them may involve different techniques. Many surgeons use powered instruments that help remove polyps without harming nearby tissues.
Opening the Ethmoid Sinuses
The ethmoid sinuses are made up of many small air sacs that drain into the nasal cavity. If the drainage path is blocked, your surgeon may open the thin walls of bone that separate the air sacs. This creates a passage through which mucus can drain more easily.
Clearing Nasal Passages
The uncinate process is a thin projection of bone and tissue that forms the outlet of the maxillary sinus. If the tissue becomes inflamed, your surgeon may remove the uncinate process so that mucus can drain.
Publication Source:
Hulett KJ, Stankiewicz JA, Otolaryngology, 4th ed., Chapter 53 - Primary sinus surgery, 2005, pp 1229-1252
Publication Source:
Hulett KJ, Stankiewicz JA, Otolaryngology, 4th ed., Endoscopic procedures. Messerklinger and Wigand techniques. Special considerationsnasal septal deviation, 2005, pp 1242
Publication Source:
Hulett KJ, Stankiewicz JA, Otolaryngology, 4th ed., Frontal sinus, 2005, pp 1268-1273
Online Medical Reviewer:
Ryan, Matthew W., MD
Date Last Reviewed:
1/15/2007
Date Last Modified:
2/5/2004