Sinuses – endoscopic sinus surgery

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a condition characterised by nasal blockage, facial pain, nasal drip and impairment of sense of smell. It can be diagnosed using a combination of clinical history and clinical examination. Your nasal lining can be inspected using a headlight and a rigid/flexible nasendoscope.  To further assess a CT scan of the sinuses may be required. 

Management of chronic rhinosinusitis ranges from conservative management with nasal saline rinses, intranasal steroid sprays and tablet antibiotics/steroids to surgery. Depending on severity of symptoms, response to conservative management and CT scan findings functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) may be indicated. 

FESS is an operation performed under general anaesthetic. It’s purpose is to reopen the natural sinus drainage pathways and remove polyps if present. It is performed endoscopically using a scope and camera with no external cuts. A septoplasty is sometimes required to correct septal deviation and allow access to perform FESS. Saline rinses and intranasal steroid sprays are often required after FESS to maintain the benefit of surgery.