Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery or FESS for short is a medical term given to an operation that is recommended for patients suffering from severe or difficult-to-treat conditions of sinusitis. It combines the use of endoscopes and CT scan techniques to diagnose and treat sinusitis. FESS is one of the many approaches applied to cure sinusitis. The type of the surgical technique that needs to be adopted depends on which part the patient has been affected with sinusitis.

FESS is usually conducted under general anesthesia depending on the severity of the sinus infection. The surgery in most cases does not involve any cuttings and hence bleeding is very rare. The FESS microscope is also utilized for the operation and the following functions are performed during the operation:

• The surgeon inserts the microscope through the nostril to see around the corners of the sinuses.
• The microscope guides the accurate surgical removal of the bones and polyps by using specially designed bone cutting instruments.
• Open up the blocked passages of the sinuses to ensure better drainage of the nasal fluids and pus.
• Anything blocking the passageways such as swollen mucous will also be removed.
• Ventilation is enhanced and sinus passageways are cleared.

General Post-Surgical Instructions

Immediate bed rest for a few hours will be required by the patient and food intake will be allowed once the surgeon is satisfied with the patient’s condition. The blood pressure and breathing will be regularly monitored by a nurse. Nasal bleeding is quite normal after a surgery and will stop within some hours.

The patient can expect to be discharged on the same day as that of the surgery or the next day depending upon the duration or success of the surgery.