Sinus Surgery
Sinus surgery should be considered if medication fails to adequately relieve symptoms and the individual's quality of life continues to suffer. The need for surgery may be due to recurrent attacks of acute Rhinosinusits or longer term symptoms associated with Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Most sinus operations are now performed utilizing an endoscope placed inside the nose through the nostril and a tiny TV camera which enables the surgeon to view structures and tissue on a TV screen. The term applied to such sinus procedures is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, or ESS. Patients are generally asleep for the procedure. This will be discussed with you. The goal of the surgery is to correct any structural problems within the nose and sinuses as well as to eliminate blockage by removing thickened tissue creating wider drainage channels. This will invariably improve nasal and sinus function.
Various microsurgical instruments are used during the surgery and Computer Assisted Techniques are available. Unless there are unusual circumstances you will go home the same day. The outside of the nose and face does not swell and there is no visible black and blue. Most of our patients can work within a few days, in some instances the next day. The postoperative care will be discussed in more detail in the office. Suffice it to say, the recovery is generally not difficult and surprisingly painless. For approximately 4-6 weeks you will be seen in the office at intervals to clear the nose of mucous and secretions to improve your breathing. More detail will be provided concerning the postoperative care.
Computer Assisted Or Image Guided Sinus Surgery
Computer Assisted Sinus Surgery (CASS) or Image Guided Sinus Surgery (IGS) is a system that which integrates a high speed computer and the surgical instruments. This equipment, in combination with an endoscope and TV monitor, permits the surgeon to visualize the surgical instruments at all times within the sinuses based on the anatomy of the CT scan taken before surgery. This tracking system also correlates movement of these instruments. The surgeon therefore obtains instant feedback concerning the location of the surgical instruments within the various sinuses correlated to the individual's preoperative medical images, or CT scan. This real time information permits more thorough and precise surgery.
