Sinus Surgery and Balloon Sinuplasty

Sinus Surgery is commonly performed in those patients who suffer from recurrent or chronic sinus disease (usually infections) who have not responded to medical treatment.

Currently almost all sinus surgery is performed using minimally invasive techniques commonly referred to as FESS which stands for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. FESS is performed with the patient asleep under general anesthesia using endoscopes (small rigid telescopes) to access the sinuses through the nose without the need for external incisions. Utilizing this approach all the sinuses can opened and the normal drainage pattern restored with minimal disruption of normal tissue. This minimalist approach shortens healing time and postoperative discomfort. In the last few years an even less invasive technique has been developed which utilizes a tough micro balloon placed across the sinus opening to dilate and open the sinus. Aside from infectious problems these techniques can also be used to remove some nasal tumors and repair blocked tear ducts.