The vast majority of sinus surgeries performed have no complications. It is estimated that less than 5% of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery recipients (FESS) experience a complication. Sinus surgery is the last treatment option exercised when all other options to remove the infection, necrotic sinus tissue or nasal obstruction have failed. Sinus surgery is not a guarantee that your sinus problems will be resolved. 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.

Complications

The most common complication of FESS is a secondary infection. Physicians are aware of this complication so they prophylatically prescribe an antibiotic to avoid infection. Inflammation is expected following surgery however, any inflammation that is outside the normal range can create a more serious problem. In addition, any unusual discharge is cause for concern and may indicate infection. The physician will often perform a culture to determine cause of infection and type of treatment that may be required.

There are some risks involved as with any surgery. Here are the some post sinus surgery complications:

• Postoperative bleeding - some bleeding is expected post operatively within the first 24 hours. If the bleeding does not stop after a few minutes of squeezing and sitting up and squeezing the nostrils it is possible a blood vessel has been opened and may need to be cauterized and repack the nasal cavity.
• Anesthesia complications – there is the possibility of an adverse reaction to a local or general anesthetic. It is rare, however, and can result in cardiac issues as well as pulmonary complications. Fortunately, with modern technology anesthesia is much safer with very few instances of adverse reactions
• Intraorbital complications – this refers to the area around the eye. The orbit is very close to the paranasal sinuses, merely separated by a thin layer of bone and tissue. If the orbit is ruptured or damaged, this can result in vision loss or blindness in rare cases. Any damage to the orbit is repaired immediately during surgery.
• Smell – the sense of smell may decrease during an infection as well as following a surgery. This may get worse or better depending on the impact of the sinus infection or nasal polyps
• Voice change – the sinuses provide resonance to our voice; surgery can change this mildly. Musicians and vocal professionals should take extra caution regarding sinus surgery
• Further infection – a sinus surgery is often performed due to failure to respond to the prescribed medications. However, other infections can develop as a result of sinus infection surgery such as an abscess or meningitis. Serious complications, such as brain injury can result from leakage of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Those with a watery discharge coming from the nose are to contact their doctor immediately!

Surgery

Any surgery is entered into with great caution yet it is essential to keep in mind that failure to undergo surgery may place patients at risk for other complications. Various sinus conditions left untreated rarely affect the adjacent structures such as the brain or eyes. However, patients that present with any of the following are strongly advised to speak with the attending physician. Most of the symptoms and complication fortunately are easily treated. No surgery is considered a complete success; there is always room for improvement in all surgeries. In fact, FESS can require a “revision surgery” for those who need to remove scar tissue or the regrowth of nasal polyps. A revision surgery is found to occur in those with systemic sinus infections. Those who decide to receive a revision surgery usually do so as a result of a need for quality of life resulting from disruption of breathing and chronic infections.

FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) is the most common surgical procedure performed by ENTS in the treatment of sinusitis and nasal polyps. Sinus surgery in the recent past was considered a somewhat barbaric procedure. Fortunately FESS is usually a very successful procedure which is achieved through an instrument referred to as a nasal endoscope. The goal of any FESS is to remove infected sinus tissue that is obstructing the sinus or nasal passages. A surgeon will necessarily remove any diseased sinus tissue that blocks or creates infection. At the same time, the surgeon seeks to avoid removing normal healthy tissue. Recovery time depends on the amount of tissue removed and will require a lifestyle change. Typically, postoperative FESS includes packing the nose with gauze to absorb the blood and nasal secretions.

Patients are encouraged to slow down while they are healing following FESS. Patients are encouraged to:<*p> Use a humidifier to keep room air moist Use a saltwater nasal wash or a “lavage” to keep the sinuses moist Avoid strenuous physical exercise – such as heavy lifting or any activity that will result in blood rushing to your head Work load should be decreased – at least one to two weeks off of work Increase fluid intake Avoid driving after the first few days of recuperation from FESS especially while taking prescribed antibiotics Avoid airplane travel or high altitude; avoid pressure in the sinus area

There are significant concerns regarding functional endoscopic sinus surgery complications such as heavy bleeding, leakage of fluids that surround the brain and spinal cord, inflammation of the membrane that covers the brain, blindness and possible death. Although FESS is widely conducted, great caution is needed required due to the close proximity of the sinuses to the brain, eyes and carotid arteries.

Alternatives to sinus surgery

Those who suffer with the possibility of sinus surgery are eager to find an alternative treatment to surgery. There is a topical treatment available that has a 98% success rate in the treatment of sinusitis. Using aerosol therapy, Sinus Dynamics delivers topical medications into the sinus area directly, shrinking nasal polyps with potent anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and anti-fungals that are delivered directly into the sinus cavities with a state of the art nebulizer that produces a pressurized aerosolized mist. Call Sinus Dynamics (877) 447-4276 to begin treating your sinus infection with a sinus therapy that 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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