Otolaryngologists specialized in the medical and surgical treatment of ear, nose and throat disorders, and related areas of the face and neck.

Treating Chronic Sinus Infections: Is surgery the answer?

Tags: Acute Sinusitis, Chonic Sinusitis, FESS, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Sinus Infections, Sinus Surgery, Sinusitis | Posted in Sinus & Nasal |

Hammering facial pain and pressure. Fever and chills. Nasal obstruction. Diminished sense of smell. Coughing. Do you recognize these symptoms? They’re all signs of sinusitis. Acute sinusitis is often marked by a thick, green or yellow nasal discharge and can last up to four weeks or more. Most cases respond well to antibiotics and decongestants, and people can resume normal activities quickly. But what happens when sinusitis becomes chronic?

The Surgical Solution

Today, many chronic sinusitis sufferers are finding relief by undergoing a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure called functional endoscopic sinus surgery, or FESS. During this procedure, the surgeon inserts an endoscope through the nose into the sinuses to clean and drain them and remove any obstructive growths, such as a polyp or cyst. He or she will also look for structural abnormalities. The surgery enlarges the natural openings of the sinuses and can restore the normal flow of mucus without leaving any visible scars.

Gaining Popularity

Ear, nose and throat specialist William McClelland, MD, FACS, has seen tremendous growth in the number of FESS procedures performed in recent years. He performs approximately 200 procedures a year.

“I’d estimate that up to 5 percent of the population would benefit from a nasal or sinus procedure because it often eliminates the need for prolonged decongestants, antibiotics and other medicines,” Dr. McClelland says. “Plus, resolving sinus problems can assist in treating other conditions like asthma or sleep apnea, which may also be occurring.”

Adding to the surgery’s appeal is the minimal recovery time and post-operative side effects. “[Recovery] usually feels like a hangover for about 48 hours—headache, sore throat, fever—followed by a bad cold for four to five days,” says Dr. McClelland. “However, I’ve had patients go home feeling better than they did before surgery, and they’re often back to work in three to four days.”