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Sinusitis Surgery Treatment
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Sinusitis surgery treatment is a standard treatment method when all other methods for sinusitis have failed. Chronic sinusitis patients are the most common recipients of sinus surgery as well as those patients requiring polyp removal. Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses caused by a blockage in the sinus cavity that stem from the presence of foreign debris in the sinus passages. A sinusitis infection is recognized by the blockage which causes inflammation or swelling of the lining in the sinus passages and cavities. Blocked sinuses are very uncomfortable as pressure builds in the swollen sinus cavities. There are various methods used to treat a sinusitis infection and experience symptom relief.
FESS FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) is the keystone surgical treatment for sinusitis and nasal polyps. Fess is typically performed under local or general anesthesia, and lasts approximately two hours as an inpatient procedure. In traditional sinus surgery, an opening is made into the sinus. “The openings may be made from the inside of the mouth or through the skin of the face.” Fess is a newer surgical procedure that typically utilizes a nasal endoscope to clear and enlarge the maxillary ostium by removing the obstructing tissue or swollen mucous membranes and polyps. Patients may be prescribed an oral antibiotic prior to surgery prophylactically or to address a current sinus infection. At least four persons are involved in the actual procedure. The ENT Surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and two nurses. Patients are advised to stop taking any aspirin or advil prior to surgery. The goal of sinus surgery is to remove the tissue that is blocking the sinus and to increase drainage. The surgeon’s purpose during a FESS is to remove any diseased tissue obstructing the sinuses and causing infection. At the same time, the surgeon seeks to avoid removing normal healthy tissue. Recovery time depends on the amount of tissue removed. During the FESS a surgeon may utilize a video camera and the eyepiece of the endoscope. In addition, lasers and microdebriders may be utilized to remove tissue. Lasers cause more swelling but also result in a bloodless removal of swollen tissue. Postoperative FESS entails packing in the nose with gauze to absorb the blood and drainage. Patients are traditionally told to change packing several times a day or they are instructed to leave packing in place for a few days. In addition, patients are instructed to avoid any strenuous physical activities especially blowing the nose and bending over for a few days. Patients are encouraged to utilize a humidifier to keep room air moist especially in the bedroom as well as utilize a saltwater nasal wash or a “lavage” to keep the sinuses moist. Surgical treatment for sinusitis should only be considered when all other conservative methods, such as home treatment and medications have failed. Sinus surgery has some considerable risks such as heavy bleeding, leakage of fluids that surround the brain and spinal cord, inflammation of the membrane that covers the brain, blindness and death. Although endoscopic surgery is widely performed, extreme care is required due to the close proximity of the paranasal sinuses to the brain and internal carotid arteries.
Nasal Polyps Nasal polyps or polypoidal masses are benign masses in the mucus membranes of the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses: overgrowths that typically arise out of the maxillary sinuses associated with various disease and exposure to chromimum. Causation of nasal polyps is unknown but is suspected to be due to allergy, non allergic adult asthma and medical disorders like Churg-strauss syndrome and cystic fibrosis. Nasal polyps are problematic in that they block the nasal passages and create secondary infection, sinusitis, loss of smell (ansomia) and are found reoccur 70% of the time requiring surgery when steroids have failed to reduce the nasal mass. Other conditions that are organic or acquired require sinus surgery such as a deviated septum. Sinusitis is prevalent in those that suffer with a deviated septum due to the blockage which leads to nasal congestion and infections. Newborns can develop a deviated septum when passing through the birth canal from the force placed against the septum and twisting up against the vaginal walls or forceps. ENT Physician’s typically do not perform surgeries on newborns following delivery but can be called in to consult regarding proper care. In addition, a trauma to the nose from a car accident or fist can produce a deviated septum. The surgical procedure that corrects a deviated septum is referred to as septoplasty and involves shaving down a portion of the cartilage that is deviated. Recuperation from septoplasty is typically one to two weeks. A cold that won’t go away: Sinusitis A sinusitis infection is experienced as a cold that won’t go away, nasal pressure, pain, postnasal drip, headache, pressure in the face and cheeks. The blockage of foreign debris of bacteria, fungi or virus also triggers excess mucus production in the sinus cavities and inflammation due to the pathogens attacking the sinus cavity openings. When the sinus cavity openings are attacked this leads to a more serious sinus infection. Sinusitis develops typically when there is existing inflammation from a cold or allergy. When bacteria get into the sinus cavities, they attack the swelling of the cavity lining, causing more inflammation. During a sinusitis infection, the cilia which are small hairs in the nasal passageways cannot perform their function of removing the debris that is blocked inside the sinus cavity. Sinusitis can be classified into three categories: acute lasting less than four weeks, sub-acute lasting four to eight weeks, or chronic with a duration of eight weeks or more with additional symptoms that develop such as fatigue, dental pain, loss of smell and loss of taste. All sinusitis classifications share similar symptoms, which make it difficult to distinguish between the three classes. An acute sinusitis is the most common classification experienced with approximately 90% of adults experiencing sinusitis at some point in their life. There are many conditions that contribute to the onset of a sinusitis infection such as the common cold, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps as well as a deviated septum.
The treatment options The treatment options available for a sinusitis infection include antibiotics and steroids as well as over the counter decongestants, antihistamines, expectorants, and nasal sprays. Decongestants function by shrinking swollen mucous membranes that are in the nasal passageways and sinus cavity openings and provide symptom relief. The purpose of a decongestant is to allow for easy breathing during a sinus infection, unblocking the airways. Spray decongestants also are available and provide immediate relief, but due to the active ingredient oxymetazoline or phenylephrine can become habit forming as well as inducing a rebound effect. If spray decongestants are used for too long and the medication wears off, the swelling in the nasal cavity returns and is more severe than it was prior to the last application of decongestant. Hence, a dependency on nasal sprays can easily develop which may require steroids to assist with the withdrawal period as well as reducing inflammation. The rebound effect from a decongestant spray can occur for anyone using a decongestant spray from a bad cold to an acute sinusitis infection. Antihistamines are helpful in clearing up excess mucus from allergic reactions that often trigger sinusitis infection such as Benadryl, Claritin or Sudafed. Antihistamines are “any drug that neutralizes the effects of histamine, used especially in the treatment of allergies.” If antihistamines fail to provide adequate pain relief an analgesic can be recommended such as Alieve or Advil. Analgesics typically are mild over the counter anti-inflammatories that are often taken in combination with antibiotics, decongestants and antihistamines to provide symptom relief for sinusitis. Sinus irrigators are used to cleanse the sinuses for optimum sinus and respiratory health, but can also assist with symptom reduction of sinus inflammation when a blockage is present in the sinus cavity. The purpose of a sinus irrigator is to clean out the sinus cavities and nasal passages as well as prevent the development of an infection. For individuals who already have a sinus problem or allergies, a sinus irrigator can help improve a preexisting condition by clearing out nasal congestion, post nasal drip and other allergens with water and saline solutions. A nasal spray is a treatment method that is widely utilized for sinusitis infections and can provide some sinus relief. Nasal sprays are obtained over the counter or prescribed by a physician but due to the design of the nasal spray bottle, a nasal spray emits a large particle size that cannot effectively treat the tiny sinus cavity openings. The large particle cannot reach the inflamed openings of the sinus cavities nor remove the pathogens caught inside the upper sinus cavities. Nasal sprays only treat the lower nasal passages and remove pathogens in the lower sinus regions. Sinus Dynamics Sinus Dynamics offers the most innovative treatment for sinusitis infection currently on the market with custom compounded antibiotics, anti-fungals, and anti-inflammatories that are delivered directly into the sinus cavities with a state of the art nebulizer that produces a pressurized aerosolized mist. Sinus Dynamics nebulizer emits a fine medicated mist with 3.2-micron particle size that can rapidly enter the inflamed sinus cavities, depositing medication and making contact with the infection directly. The aerosolized medicated mist is sent up into nasal passages reaching the actual site of the sinusitis infection, fighting the infection on contact. Sinus Dynamics treatment approach is painless and effective in treating chronic sinusitis. Sinus Dynamics’ topical approach to treating sinusitis is particularly effective as medications that are topically applied result in little to no side effects and ensure a low systemic absorption rate as well as reaching the site of infection unlike the other treatment methods prescribed. Sinus Dynamics sinus therapy is highly effective, easy to use, and safe with a 98% success rate in the treatment of patients who are suffering with sinusitis. If you have chronic or acute sinusitis and a history of sinusitis surgery treatment please call Sinus Dynamics (877) 447-4276 today to learn about a more effective method in treating your condition.
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