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Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Questions and Answers Presented by Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge
What are some of the common symptoms of a sinus condition?
Sinuscopy enables surgeons to reach areas that previously could not be visualized directly
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- Nasal blockage
- Runny nose
- Itchy throat/dry mouth
- Nasal or hoarse voice
- Postnasal drip
- Dry or mucus-producing cough
- Itchy or runny eyes
- Sinus pressure headache
- Blocked or popping ears
What are the primary underlying causes of sinus disorders?
Sinus disorders generally originate from one or more of the following conditions:
- Infection: Sinus infections and common colds
- Allergies: Development of polyps and acute reactions to specific environmental substances
- Anatomical Deviations: Enlarged turbinates, polyps or deviated septum, resulting in obstruction of breathing passages
What are the various treatment options for sinus disorders?
Treatment options that may offer an alternative to surgery include antibiotic therapy and allergy management. If these do not achieve adequate results, an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist may advise surgical intervention.
What is endoscopic sinus surgery?
Endoscopic sinus surgery, often referred to as sinoscopy, entails the use of a sinuscope for access and inspection of the sinus cavities and related structures. A sinuscope is a narrow hollow tube in which light travels through small glass fibers to a lens that illuminates and magnifies the sinus cavity. Sinoscopy can be either diagnostic (i.e. to determine the exact source of sinus symptoms), or involve the use of lasers or other instruments that allow the surgeon to actually treat the underlying cause of the symptoms.
What advantages does the microdebrider bring to endoscopic surgery?
When used with endoscopes and nasal/sinus endoscopy instruments, the microdebrider enables surgeons to remove diseased tissue while preserving normal structures. Additional advantages include:
- Versatility in cutting and sealing tissues
- Less time in surgery
- Less blood loss
- Usually no post-operative packing required
What advantages does sinoscopy offer over conventional sinus surgery?
- Local vs. general anesthesia
- Outpatient procedure vs. required hospital stay
- Ability to reach areas that previously could not be visualized directly
- Less trauma to surrounding tissue
What should the patient expect before, during and after endoscopic sinus surgery?
A patient scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery usually arrives at the hospital on the morning of the surgery, registers and completes required pre-operative paperwork. Then, routine tests are administered and/or the results of tests taken earlier are reviewed. Many endoscopic examinations and surgical procedures can be preformed using local or regional anesthesia, which means a general anesthetic may not be necessary.
After surgery, the patient is taken to the recovery room and then to the outpatient post-recovery area. The patient remains in the recovery area until a post-operative evaluation has been conducted and discharge procedures are completed. At the time of discharge, the nurse advises the patient of the surgeon's discharge instructions, including the appropriate time to return for a follow-up examination.
For more information about endoscopic sinus surgery or its application to your specific situation, please call your doctor or Methodist Medical Center at (865) 835-5106.
Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge
990 Oak Ridge Turnpike
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
(865) 835-5106
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