Sinus Surgery in Delhi, India
Overview
Sinus surgery is a procedure that targets to open the sinus pathways and clear all the blockages present inside them. This is an ideal option for people suffering from ongoing and recurrent sinus infections, abnormal sinus structure, and abnormal growths in the sinus.
Sinuses are air-filled cavities inside a person's skull, located around the eyes and nose and in front of the face. Normal sinuses contain no bacteria or other germs. However, mucus can drain out most of the time, and the air can flow through the sinuses. The mucus forms a protective layer to help keep out unwanted particles like pollutants, dirt, and infectious organisms.
A doctor will often resort to other treatments and procedures before surgery. However, surgical intervention is the final option if conservative treatments don't give the desired results. The goal of the surgery is to get rid of all the obstacles blocking the sinuses' drainage pathways. This may include extraction of the following things:
- Thin pieces of bone
- Mucous membranes
- Inflammed or injured tissue
- Tumors or additional growths blocking the nasal or sinus passage
- Nasal polyps
When is sinus surgery needed?
A person requires sinus surgery to treat various problems, but common reasons include sinusitis and nasal polyps.
Sinusitis
It is also termed a nasal infection. It is the inflammation of the nasal sinuses. The most common symptoms include:
- The pressure surrounding the nose, eyes, or forehead
- A sultry nose
- thick and discoloured nasal drainage
- Cough
- Head congestion and headaches Bad-tasting post-nasal drip
- Blocked ears or changes in hearing
Nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are due to inflammation of the nasal lining inside the nasal passages and sinuses. They can vary in size but are mostly the shape of a teardrop.
If the nasal polyps are larger in size or present as clusters, it may lead to breathing difficulties and affect the sense of smell. They can also block a person's sinuses, further leading to infections. The commonly seen symptoms are:
- A blocked nose causes difficulty in breathing
- A running nose
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Post-nasal drip
- A reduced sense of smell or taste
- Facial pain
- Headaches
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
Types of sinus surgery
Following are the most common types of sinus surgery:
- Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
- Image-Guided Surgery
- Caldwell-Luc Surgery
- Turbinate reduction surgery
- Balloon Sinuplasty
- Sinus ostial dilation Surgery
Diagnosis before sinus surgery
- The patient is recommended not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
- Intake of certain medications like Aspirin or Ibuprofen to be discontinued before this procedure because of the risk of bleeding.
During sinus surgery procedure
The steps performed during a sinus surgery are as follows:
- First, the patient will be given either local or general anaesthesia.
- A micro telescope is inserted into your sinuses so that the surgeon can get a clear and more exact view of the problems lying inside the sinus.
- The doctor will then surgically withdraw blockages, tiny sections of bone, or polyps from the sinuses.
Side effects and risks of sinus surgery
The complications that can happen while performing sinus surgery are primarily rare and include the following:
Bleeding
After completion of the procedure, bleeding tends to occur within the first 24 hours. However, it can sometimes occur later, ranging from a few days to weeks. If a clot develops near the septum, the bony partition between the nasal passages, it must be taken off.
Intracranial complications
The septum may get damaged during sinus surgery. However, this is an infrequent complication, and the chances are very bleak.
Brain fluid can sneak into the nose and, in extreme cases, can lead to meningitis, an infection of the brain. While this matter is scarce, it is often identified and repaired while undergoing the initial surgery.
Damage to the eye or surrounding tissues near it
As the sinuses are located very near the eye, bleeding can occasionally happen in the eye region. This occurs when the thin layer of bone separating the sinus from the eye is damaged. This is very rare and is usually noticed and treated at the same time while the surgery is in progress.
In sporadic cases, vision loss and blindness have been noted. But, apart from that, few reports of damage to the muscles that perform the eye's movement, leading to temporary or permanent double vision.
Other incidents may lead to a change in the functioning of tear ducts, causing enormous tearing.
Alterations in the person's voice box
The sinus influences the resonance of a person's vocal cord. Complications of sinus surgery can sometimes lead to a change in someone's voice, making it a little hoarse.
Absence of smell or taste
Generally, after sinus surgery, a person's sense of smell is expected to improve due to the restoration of airflow. But in some cases, it can worsen according to the level of swelling or infection. This often lasts temporarily but can be prolonged too.
Infection
Sinus infections are the main reason to undergo sinus surgery. A person with sinusitis can develop other conditions in this area post-surgery.
However, this complication can also occur if a person doesn't undergo long-term sinus infection surgery.
Nasal issues
Sinus surgery usually improves airflow. However, in rare cases, surgery can worsen this. In addition, small amounts of scar tissue may also build up in the nasal passage that will require another procedure to remove.
Recovery after sinus surgery
After sinus surgery, follow-up care is essential to ensure proper sinus healing, which can take up to five days for your regular physical activity. It is always recommended to avoid certain activities that elevate blood pressure, such as lifting weights and jogging, until you get clearance from your doctor.
Sinus surgery is the last mode of treatment for those patients experiencing sinus problems who have not responded to medical treatment. Some people notice an immediate and highly satisfying improvement in their symptoms after surgery. In contrast, it may take a little more time lasting from a few days to weeks in other individuals. Some patients require ongoing care even after recovering from surgery.