What is sinus surgery?
Sinus surgery refers to any operations that treat conditions affecting your sinus cavity. Your sinuses are large cavities inside your face on either side of your nose. One of their jobs is to produce mucus to lubricate your airways. The mucus also catches dirt, infections, and particles, so they don’t enter your airway passages.
Sinus surgery can widen your sinuses and treat blockages that make it difficult for you to breathe correctly. The team at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat usually seek nonsurgical options first, but sinus surgery is their specialty. They perform several types of sinus surgery in the office safely, with little chance of complications.
Which types of sinus surgery are available?
Whether you need sinus surgery for nasal polyps, sinusitis, tumors, or other conditions, the team at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat chooses an approach that fits your needs and preferences. After a thorough evaluation of your sinuses, they might recommend:
Endoscopic sinus surgery
Endoscopic sinus surgery is a minimally invasive form of sinus surgery. The team inserts an endoscope through your nostrils to view your nasal passageways. They use slim tools to remove tissue obstructing your sinuses. Since there are a few types of endoscopic sinus surgery, the team tells you about their approach beforehand.
Balloon sinus dilation
Balloon sinus dilation is another surgical procedure to expand or unblock your sinuses. Also, a minimally invasive option, balloon sinus dilation, involves the use of small balloons that the team places at various points in your sinuses to expand the pathways.
How should I prepare for sinus surgery?
Preparing for sinus surgery is typically pretty easy on your part. Before the operation, you’ll attend a consultation to discuss your condition and sinus complications. The team might use imaging procedures or other tests to diagnose issues they might need to address with surgery, and then they describe the approach they’ll use in detail.
Before the official date of your surgery, the team gives you a set of instructions to follow to ensure the operation goes smoothly. Depending on your surgery and personal needs, they might suggest:
- Avoiding aspirin and other drugs that increase bleeding
- Avoiding smoking for at least three weeks
- Fasting starting at midnight the night before your surgery
- Adjusting certain medications or dosages
- Using a nasal spray shortly before your surgery
The team tells you how long you can expect your sinus surgery recovery to take.
For more information about sinus surgeries and what to expect, call Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat or schedule an appointment online today.
