Bilateral Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is so named because it is designed to restore the normal mucus clearing function of the sinuses by opening up their natural drainage passages with minimal trauma. It is performed through the nostril without any external incisions. It is recommended only after medical management has been unsuccessful in controlling chronic or frequently recurring sinus problems. The choice to undergo sinus surgery, continue medical management, or do neither each come with their own risks. The risks of surgery include the risks of an anesthesia reaction or complication, uncontrolled bleeding during the procedure which might necessitate aborting or altering the procedure, postoperative bleeding, orbital complications such as bleeding or muscle injury which could cause permanent visual impairment, intracranial injury (brain injury or infection), leakage of cerebrospinal fluid which might require a subsequent procedure to repair, persistent or worsening nasal obstruction, failure to manage polyps (recurrence or progression), improper healing in the sinuses, and recurrent nasal or sinus infections. Most of these are typically the result of poor patient compliance or failure to address a concern in a timely manner, so it is critical that sinus surgery patients comply with all postoperative instructions and medication prescriptions, and that they return as scheduled for each postoperative office visit. Typically, at those visits, the sinuses will be examined endoscopically, cleaned, and mucus, and old blood will be removed to ensure the sinuses properly heal without infection. In the case of an unintended structural injury such as those described above, your surgeon is well trained on how to best correct or treat the complication. The likelihood of any serious complication occurring is well under 1%.