Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

• About the Operation
• Endoscopic sinus surgery is aimed at removing disease from the nose and sinuses and restoring the normal function of the sinuses. Using small telescopes to operate inside the nose, the surgery is directed at opening the natural drainage channels for the sinuses above, between and below the eyes. Sinus surgery may be suggested if your symptoms have not cleared up with antibiotics, steroid nasal spray or drops.
• What happens during the operation?
• Whilst you are asleep under a general anesthetic, the surgeon carefully examines the interior of the nose and entrances to the sinuses. Any abnormal and obstructive tissues are then removed using micro telescopes and instruments. In all cases the surgery is performed entirely within the nostrils leaving no external scars. No stitches are used for this procedure. Packs may be placed in the nose and removed in three hours.
• How will I feel after the operation?
• Initially, you will feel drowsy until the anesthetic wears off. If there are any packs in the nose you will have to breathe through your mouth, and this may give you a dry throat. You may have a headache for some hours.
  When the packs are removed, there is often some bleeding which settles within a few minutes. Rarely, the nose will need re-packing to stop this.
  Your symptoms will not resolve overnight. The nasal lining will be swollen at first, so your nose will feel stuffy for up to one week after the operation. Light red or clear drainage from the nose is normal for two weeks following surgery. No strenuous activity should be attempted for one week after surgery as this might cause bleeding.
  You will be given nasal sprays or drops to use after your surgery to gently clear the nose.
• What are the possible complications?
• Bleeding may occur and is usually mild.
  Infection is uncommon, but when it occurs you will notice a persistent smelly nasal discharge, pain and sometimes fever.
  Bruising around the eyes can sometimes occur but no treatment is necessary as the bruising settles over two weeks.
  Cerebra-spinal fluid leak is an extremely rare complication, (happening in 0.01% of cases i.e. the risk is less than one in ten thousand) when the cranial cavity (the area around the brain) is entered with the resultant leak of fluid out through the nose. This usually settles spontaneously, but may require a further operation to stop the leak if it persists.
  Damage to the eye -this is an even rarer complication (happening in 0.005% of cases). The risk is less than one in a hundred-thousand. Double vision may occur if the muscles that move the eye are damaged. This generally clears but treatment from an eye specialist may be needed if it does not.
• How long will I remain in hospital?
• This is usually for one night following your operation. It may be performed as a day case.
• When can I go back to work?
• We advise taking one week off work following surgery.