Complications After Sinus Surgery


Sinus Surgery Sinus surgery is a standard treatment method with serious complications being fairly uncommon. Sinus surgery is typically performed when other methods for sinusitis have failed or are not appropriate. For instance, the removal of nasal polyps is usually performed after the obstruction is too large and creates recurrent sinus infections. If you have had or you are a surgical candidate for sinus surgery, it is important to understand that no surgery is “100%” successful. Fortunately, most sinus surgeries that have a complication are typically treated with antibiotics.

What is the most common complication after sinus surgery?

The most commonly reported complication of a sinus surgery is leakage of the spinal fluid, affecting 2% of sinus surgeries. This complication is handled at the time of the surgery and repaired immediately. The worst known complication is blindness that can result from damage to the optic nerve.

Here are the some post sinus surgery complications:

  • Swelling
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Facial bruising
  • Excessive discharge from the nose accompanied by yellow or green discharge
  • Disorientation
  • Eye pain
  • Blurred vision
  • Stiff neck

Patients that present with any of the following are strongly advised to speak with the attending physician. Most of the symptoms are easily treated.

Chronic sinusitis patients are the most common recipients of sinus surgery as well as those patients requiring polyp removal. A sinusitis infection is recognized by the blockage which causes inflammation or swelling of the lining in the sinus passages and cavities. When physicians have failed in eradicating the sinusitis infection, sinus surgery will often be recommended. Sinus surgery is painful and only clears out a portion of the sinus infection. Patients who have had previous sinus surgeries also known as a functional endoscopy Sinus Surgery (FESS) typically require future sinus surgeries.

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. 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.

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 is a sinusitis surgery that 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.

Avoiding Sinus Surgery 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. Call Sinus Dynamics (877) 447-4276 to begin a sinus therapy if you have had complications after sinus surgery. Aerosol therapy by Sinus Dynamics is highly effective, easy to use, and safe with a 98% success rate in the treatment of patients who are suffering with sinusitis.


 
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