Recognize the types and risks of sinusitis surgery

Sinusitis is a disease that occurs when the sinus cavities become inflamed due to infection. This inflammation causes uncomfortable symptoms such as nasal congestion and headaches. One of the recommended procedures for treating recurrent, persistent sinus inflammation with medication is sinusitis surgery.

What is sinusitis surgery?

The sinuses are the cavities that are located just behind your forehead, nose, cheeks, and eyes. This cavity can experience inflammation and swelling due to infection, whether caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

Well, sinusitis surgery is one method that is done to remove blockages that block the sinuses. Generally, this procedure is done to get rid of several nasal disorders, such as:

• Thin pieces of bone
• Mucous membrane
• Nasal polyps
• Swollen or damaged tissue
• Tumors that block the nasal passages or sinuses

When is sinusitis surgery necessary?

Previously, it is important to emphasize that not all cases of sinusitis require surgery. Most cases of sinusitis, especially those that are mild and acute, can be treated using medications and home remedies for sinusitis.

Then, when do the surgical procedures need to be carried out? Usually, surgery should be done if sinusitis symptoms recur within a year, or last for a long time. This condition is usually called chronic sinusitis, which is inflammation of the sinuses that lasts more than 12 weeks.

In addition, surgery is also necessary if sinus inflammation is associated with nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are tissue growths on the lining that lies inside the nasal passages and sinuses.

Polyps that are large in size can cause serious breathing problems and are bad for the sufferer's sense of smell. In addition, this condition can also be a cause of sinusitis because of the risk of causing an infection in the sinuses.

Surgery can also be performed when problems or disorders of the nasal structure occur, such as deviation of the septum or crooked nasal bones. This condition can occur due to birth or injury due to an accident.

What needs to be prepared before sinusitis surgery?

Before undergoing sinusitis surgery, there are several things that need to be considered. Some of them are:

• According to the Texas Sinus Institute website, you are advised not to take medications such as aspirin and NSAIDs (ibuprofen or naproxen) for at least 5 days before surgery. These drugs can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. You can consult your doctor about what drugs should be avoided before surgery.
• It is also recommended that you rinse your nose and sinuses using a water spray saline. You can get this spray at a pharmacy or make your own at home.
• Ask your doctor in depth about what are the benefits and risks of sinusitis surgery.
• Make sure someone will escort and pick you up after the operation is over. You may find it difficult to drive or drive the vehicle after the surgical procedure.

Types of surgery to treat sinusitis

Here are some types of sinusitis surgery in the medical world, namely:

1. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery

This procedure is the most common type of surgery that is usually performed. The operation is performed using a device called an endoscope. Endoscope is a fiber optic tube with a shape that is quite thin.

This tool is equipped with a telescope and certain surgical instruments which are later inserted into the nose to remove tissue and various other things that clog the sinuses.

Since this procedure is performed by inserting an instrument through the nostrils, you will not have scar tissue or scars that look like a typical surgical process.

The advantage of this procedure is that it is noninvasive because it does not require surgery, it is rare removal of normal tissue, and is often performed on an outpatient basis.

2. Image-guided surgery

This one procedure is done using an endoscope and image assistance during surgery to see conditions on the inside of the sinuses that can be seen through a CT scan on a monitor.

That way, the doctor can look at the three-dimensional image and see clearly the part of the sinus that is blocked, so that it can be removed accurately. Generally, this procedure is recommended for people who have severe sinus conditions and have had previous operations.

3. Operation Caldwell-Luc

This one procedure is less commonly used. Usually only used when there is an abnormal growth in the sinus cavity. Compared to the previous two procedures, this operation is considered invasive because it involves real surgery.

Caldwell-Luc surgery aims to remove abnormal tissue growths such as tumors and improve sinus flow. You do this by creating a path between the nose and the cavity under the eye called the maxillary sinus to help drain mucus.

4. Balloon synuplasty surgery

If the doctor doesn't need to remove anything from your sinuses, this surgery may be an option.

The doctor will insert a thin tube into the nose, which ends with a small balloon. These balloons help clear the passageways so the sinuses can ventilate even better.

5. Open sinus surgery

This operation is performed for conditions that are quite severe and complicated, such as chronic sinusitis. The operation is performed by incising the skin covering the sinuses.

After the incision, the sinus area will be exposed, and the problematic tissue will be removed. Then, the sinuses will be reconstructed.

Recovery process after sinusitis surgery

After sinusitis surgery, the doctor will insert it nasal packing into your nasal passages. The function of nasal packing is to control post-operative bleeding.

The time it takes to recover from surgery may vary from person to person. This depends on the patient's health condition and age. However, most people do not report any significant complaints after the operation is over. Patients can go home on the same day as the surgical procedure.

Depending on the type of sinusitis surgery performed, you may be given pain medication, such as corticosteroids. In addition, it is possible that you will experience symptoms such as discomfort, fatigue, nasal congestion, and bleeding in small amounts.

Follow all of your doctor's instructions and instructions regarding proper treatment during the post-operative recovery period, such as avoiding blowing your nose or mucus too hard. Doing so can actually make it difficult for your sinuses to heal after surgery.

Complications and risks of sinusitis surgery

Although it is rare, there are several risks that can occur when you do this procedure, including:

1. Bleeding

Bleeding usually occurs within the first 24 hours after sinusitis surgery. However, it is possible that it will happen days or even weeks after surgery.

If blood then clots in the bone separator between the nasal passages, which is called the septum, the condition will need to be removed with another surgical procedure.

2. Intracranial complications

The septum, or the thin layer of bone at the top of the nose, can be damaged during surgery. As a result, brain fluids can leak into the nose.

In severe enough cases, this condition can lead to infection of the lining of the brain such as meningitis.

3. Damage to the eye and surrounding tissue

Because the sinuses are very close to the eye, sometimes surgery can cause bleeding in the eye. This condition usually occurs when the thin layer of bone that separates the sinuses and eyes is damaged during surgery.

Tears in the tear ducts, damage to the moving muscles of the eye, and blindness can all be risks from sinusitis surgery.

4. Loss of sense of smell

After surgery, your sense of smell should improve as airflow has been restored to normal. However, in some fairly rare cases the opposite is true. You can experience loss of smell due to swelling that appears after surgery.

5. Other nose problems

Surgery can result in a small amount of invisible scar tissue that builds up in the nasal passages. If this happens, then you will need another surgical procedure to be able to remove it.

Apart from the various problems above, sinus surgery can also change a person's voice and also lead to other infections. Always talk to your doctor about the best sinusitis treatment steps for treating sinus inflammation that you are suffering from.