Your skull contains cavities called sinuses that add moisture to the nasal passages by producing mucus. Thin mucus drains out of your nose channels, keeping your nose clean and free of bacteria. Sinuses are usually filled with air, but sometimes, they can get blocked and filled with fluid. Mild sinus infections often improve with treatments such as decongestants, nasal saline irrigation, and over-the-counter cold and allergy medications. However, if the infection is ongoing, your doctor may recommend Surprise sinus surgery to open the nasal passages.
Who needs sinus surgery?
Sinus surgery may be an option if your sinus pathways are blocked. However, your doctor often attempts other treatments and procedures before resorting to sinus surgery. If you have ongoing and recurrent sinus infections which do not respond to conservative treatment, your doctor may recommend sinus surgery. Individuals with abnormal growths in the sinus cavities or abnormal sinus structures may also require sinus surgery. Your specialist may recommend this surgical procedure for a variety of issues that include:
- Nasal polyps
These are swellings that form on your nasal passages and sinuses lining. They vary in size but are usually small and shaped like a teardrop. However, some people may have larger polyps that result in breathing difficulties and may even affect a person’s sense of smell. If you have nasal polyps, you may or may not experience symptoms. Patients with symptoms tend to report headaches, facial pain, recurrent sinus infections, snoring, sleep apnea, runny nose, blocked nose, and a reduced sense of smell or taste.
- Sinusitis
Sinusitis is sometimes called sinus infection, and it occurs when the nasal passages swell. People with sinusitis may experience a stuffy nose, pressure around the forehead, eyes, and nose, headaches, a cough, and blocked ears.
What are the potential risks of sinus surgery?
It is rare for complications to occur during the procedure, but some include bleeding. It is normal to bleed within the first 24 hours after surgery, but this may happen later after some days or weeks. As a result, a clot may develop in the septum, which must be removed. The septum is a thin bone that attaches to the roof of your bone. Although this is a rare occurrence, this thin layer of bone may become damaged during surgery. There is also a risk of brain fluid leaking into the nose, which may cause infections such as meningitis. It is extremely rare for this to occur, and if it does, surgeons repair it as the procedure is ongoing.
The sinuses are close to the eye, which brings the possibility of eye damage. Specialists often spot and address this as the surgery takes place. In severe cases, surgery may lead to permanent double vision or blindness. Like most surgeries, sinus surgery also poses a risk of infection. While surgery is the main reason your doctor may recommend sinus surgery, there is a possibility of developing other infections. Instead of improving airflow, sinus surgery can worsen this, mainly when scar tissue builds up inside the nasal passage.
If you have a recurrent sinus infection, consult with your Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist to know if sinus surgery is an option for you.
