Sinus surgery? Don't be afraid! Let's talk about it (Sinus Surgery)

Do you also have a stuffy nose all the time? Do you have a heavy head and sore cheeks? Is there a lack of mucus? These are the main symptoms of sinusitis. Most of the time, this condition can be controlled with the medication prescribed by a doctor. But sometimes, no matter how much medicine you take, this problem does not subside. That is when your doctor may suggest you a sinus surgery. It is normal to feel a little scared when you hear the word "operation". But is there really any need to be afraid of this? Let's talk about everything simply.

What exactly is sinus surgery?

Simply put, sinus surgery is the process of reopening the blocked passages in the sinuses, which are the cavities in your skull around your nose. Imagine a clogged drain in your home. The water doesn't drain properly. That's how mucus produced inside the sinuses builds up and becomes infected.

So this surgery is done to remove the things that are blocking the blocked passages. Those things can be infected tissue , extra bone fragments , or polyps that grow inside the nose. The main goal of this surgery is to make a path for the mucus to drain more easily. This will reduce the chances of infection and the discomfort you feel.

With today's advanced technology, most of these surgeries are performed with very few incisions (minimally invasive), which means you can recover quickly.

What types of sinus surgery are there?

There are several main types of sinus surgery. Your doctor will determine the most suitable method for you based on your condition. Let's take a look at what these main methods are.

Are sinus surgery and turbinate reduction the same thing?

Yes. These are two types of surgery. A sinus surgery is done to clear the passages in the sinus cavities. A turbinate reduction is done to reduce the size of the bony structures inside the nose called turbinates. When these become swollen, they can cause nasal congestion. Sometimes, both of these surgeries can be done together.

Is this surgery dangerous? Will it hurt a lot?

This is the biggest problem for many people. To be honest, sinus surgery is not usually a type of surgery that has major, serious complications. Newer procedures, especially FESS and Balloon Sinuplasty, are very safe.

Talking about pain, you won't feel any pain during the surgery because the doctors use anesthesia.

• General Anesthesia: In this, you will be completely asleep. You will not feel anything until the surgery is over.
• Local Anesthesia: This numbs only the area around the nose. You may feel some pressure during the procedure, but you will not feel any pain.

After the surgery, you may have mild to moderate pain for a few days, maybe a week. The doctor will give you painkillers for that. So there's nothing to worry about.

Things you need to know before surgery and how to prepare

There are a few things you need to prepare for before surgery. Your doctor will explain all of this to you. The following instructions are usually given:

• If you are a smoker, try to quit at least three weeks before surgery. Smoking can make your sinus problems worse and delay healing.
• If you are taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin , your doctor will tell you to stop taking them at least 7 days before surgery, as these medications can increase bleeding during and after surgery.
• If you are given general anesthesia , do not eat or drink anything from midnight on the day of surgery.
• Since you will not be able to drive for 24 hours after surgery, make arrangements to have someone drive you home .

What happens during the surgery?

Let's look in a little more detail at how the surgeries we discussed earlier are classified.

How to perform FESS surgery

This is the most common method.

1. First, the doctor will put a decongestant in your nose.

2. Then, an injection is given inside the nose to numb it.

3. Now, that endoscope I mentioned, that is, a thin tube with a camera, which is inserted into the nose and viewed on a monitor.

4. Using the small surgical instruments that come with the tube, any extra bone fragments, diseased tissue, or polyps that are blocking the sinus passages are carefully removed.

5. Finally, if there is any bleeding, you can pack the nose with a special material (packing material) to absorb it.

How Balloon Sinuplasty is performed

This is an even simpler method.

1. The doctor will inject a numbing medicine into the tissues inside your nose.

2. A catheter is inserted into the nose under the guidance of an endoscope.

3. Through that catheter, a small balloon is sent into the blocked sinus passage.

4. Then the monk inflates the balloon again. Then the blocked road widens and opens up.

5. Then take out the balloon. That's it.

What happens after the surgery? How should I take care of myself at home?

If you were given general anesthesia, you will be kept in a recovery room for a while until you wake up from the anesthesia. If you were given local anesthesia, you will be able to go home immediately. Before you go home, the doctor and nurses will give you all the instructions you need to follow at home.

Take care of the following things during your recovery after surgery:

• A piece of gauze will be placed under your nose to absorb the secretions coming from your nose. It should be changed when it gets wet.
• When sleeping, prop your head up with two or three pillows. This can help reduce swelling and bleeding.
• Drink plenty of fluids like water.
• For the first few days, you may feel a crusty, stuffy feeling inside your nose. This is normal.
• If your doctor tells you to use a saline spray/rinse, do it exactly as directed.
• There may be some pain for about a week. Take the prescribed painkillers on time.

Are there any complications of this surgery?

There are risks with any surgery. However, complications from sinus surgery are very rare . Your doctor will explain these risks to you before the surgery. Here are some of the possible (but very rare) complications:

• Bleeding more than usual: A little bleeding is normal. But sometimes there can be a little more bleeding. If that happens, the doctor may pack the nose and possibly keep you in the hospital for observation.
• Tearing: Tearing may increase due to surgery or sinus inflammation.
• Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) Leak: This is a very rare but serious complication. If this fluid around the brain leaks, it can lead to infections such as meningitis.
• Vision problems: Very rarely, vision loss or double vision may occur after surgery.
• Facial Tingling: Especially after Caldwell Luc surgery, some parts of the face may experience tingling.
• Empty Nose Syndrome: This is also a very rare condition. In this, even though the nose is open, the chest does not feel full when breathing, and the nose feels blocked.

If you have these symptoms after surgery, see your doctor immediately.

After you go home after surgery, pay attention to your body. If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).

• If you have severe pain that does not subside even after taking the painkillers you have been given .
• If you have a fever . A fever can be a sign of an infection.
• If your nose continues to bleed profusely .
• If there is any change in vision (blurred vision, double vision).
• If you have a sore throat or a severe headache .

Some people feel better immediately after surgery. For others, it may take weeks or months for symptoms to completely disappear. So it's important to be patient.

Sinus Surgery, Sinusitis, Chronic Sinusitis, Nasal Congestion, FESS, Balloon Sinuplasty, Sinus Operation