If you’re suffering from chronic sinusitis and have exhausted all medical treatment options, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure known as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). This involves using an endoscope – a tube with a tiny camera attached – to guide a surgeon in removing extraneous tissue to open up the nasal passages.
What Is FESS?
The goal of FESS is to open up the sinuses, allowing normal drainage of fluids to occur. Without proper ventilation, mucus builds up in the sinuses, leading to infection. To determine if you are a candidate for FESS, your doctor will thoroughly examine your ears, nose and throat, looking for obstructions and other abnormalities such as nasal polyps. If the odds of a successful surgery look promising, an appointment will be scheduled with one of our surgeons here at ENT Specialists. FESS is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. An endoscope is inserted in the nose, and the camera is used to visually inspect the sinus openings. The surgeon relies on these images in order to remove excess obstructive tissue. The surgery is performed through the nostrils, making it a less intrusive procedure that won’t leave scars or cause facial swelling or bruising. Post-operative care includes flushing the nasal passages to keep debris from building up. In some cases, antibiotics or steroids may be prescribed in order to speed up the recovery process.
