Sinusitis surgery is an operation performed to treat inflammation of the sinuses. This operation is done by clearing and removing blockages in the sinuses, thus allowing the sufferer to breathe freely and free from headaches due to sinusitis.
Not all types of sinusitis require surgical procedures to heal. Sinusitis surgery is only performed in cases of sinusitis that cannot be treated only with medication.
Conditions Requiring Sinusitis Surgery
In addition to sinusitis that cannot be treated with regular medications, there are several other conditions that may allow you to have sinusitis surgery, namely:
- Recurrent sinusitis.
- The presence of nasal polyps or sinus polyps.
- Sinusitis is caused by a fungal infection.
- Sinus infection that spreads to the bones.
- Structural abnormalities in the nose or sinus cavities.
- Chronic sinusitis that accompanies HIV disease.
In addition, sinusitis surgery is also necessary if a person has sinus cancer. This cancer is very rare and most often affects men over the age of 40.
Various Types of Sinusitis Surgery
In practice, sinusitis surgery is divided into three types which are carried out according to the severity of sinusitis, namely:
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
This procedure is the most common type of sinusitis surgery. This surgery uses an endoscope, which is an elastic tube with a light and an optical camera at the end. Through this procedure, the doctor can clear the sinuses of inflammatory and infectious tissue that clogs the sinuses, as well as improve airflow between the sinus cavities and the nose.
Image-guided surgery
This procedure is done by combining the use of an endoscope and the display of CT scan images on a monitor to see the condition of the inside of the sinus clearly. This procedure is usually performed in patients who have had previous sinus surgery or in patients with advanced sinus infections.
Caldwell-Luc Operation
This procedure is included in the less commonly performed surgery for sinusitis surgery. Caldwell-Luc surgery is performed by improving the drainage flow between the maxillary sinus (sinus cavity under the eye) and the nose.
Considering the Risks and Complications of Sinusitis Surgery
Sinusitis surgery is usually performed in a fairly short time (1-2 hours) and does not require hospitalization if there are no complications. After sinusitis surgery, it is normal for sufferers to experience pain, bruising, or swelling.
Almost the same as surgery in general, sinusitis surgery also has a risk of complications. One common risk is bleeding.
Other, less common complications of sinusitis surgery include visual disturbances, damage to the eye and surrounding tissue, or permanent numbness of the upper teeth and face. In addition, a very rare complication, namely sinusitis surgery, risks disturbing the sense of smell, and can even cause loss of smell.
If you are considering having sinusitis surgery, you should discuss it carefully with your ENT doctor. Do not hesitate to ask about the benefits, procedures performed, and the risks that may occur due to sinusitis surgery.