Sinus surgery may be needed when medication treatment has failed to improve or
cure
chronic sinusitis.
Sinus surgery can be performed at
ST. FRANCIS
downtown,
ST. FRANCIS eastside, or
Upstate Surgery Center.
When medical therapy such as antibiotics and topical nasal steroids no longer
control sinusitis symptoms, sinus surgery is an option. During sinus surgery,
blocked sinus passageways are re-opened, restoring normal sinus drainage and function.
Your sinuses are surrounded by bone and cartilage and lined with a mucous membrane. When
the membranes become inflamed and painful, sinusitis occurs. Sinusitis is one
of the most common chronic health problems in the U.S., afflicting
37 million Americans each year. Sinusitis can significantly impact an individual’s
physical, functional, and emotional quality of life.
Chronic sinusitis is often caused by inflammation and blockage due to a deviated septum, malformed
bone or cartilage structures, or blockage by nasal cysts or polyps.
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery with Balloon Sinuplasty Technology
St. Francis offers
Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology in which a small, flexible balloon catheter is placed through the nostril into
the blocked sinus passageway. The balloon is inflated, gently restructuring and
opening the sinus passageway to restore normal function.
Balloon Sinuplasty enables physicians to treat sinusitis entirely through the
nostrils, and in many cases without tissue or bone removal. This may result in
reduced bleeding and post-procedure discomfort for patients. Endoscopic sinus
surgery with balloon sinuplasty technology is an outpatient procedure, and many
patients can return to work within 1-2 days.
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
In endoscopic sinus surgery, small surgical instruments and a small camera are
inserted into the nostrils, providing the doctor with an inside view of the sinuses.
During the procedure, the doctor removes small amounts of bone or other material
blocking the sinus openings. In some cases a laser is used to burn away tissue
blocking the sinus opening. A small rotating burr that scrapes away tissue may
also be used.
Endoscopic sinus surgery does not cause visible scarring, and it is often performed
on an outpatient basis, resulting in a shorter recovery than traditional sinus
surgery.
Traditional Sinus Surgery
In traditional sinus surgery, an opening is made into the sinus, either through
the inside of the mouth or through the skin of the face. Working through the incision,
the doctor uses various surgical instruments to remove the tissue that is blocking
the sinus and preventing drainage.
If the incision is made on the face, there will be a visible scar. Often, after
traditional sinus surgery, the nostrils must be packed with gauze for several
days.
Stealth System Technology
St. Francis also offers computer-guided imagery called Stealth System Technology.
With the Stealth System, surgeons get a three-dimensional view inside a patient's
sinus cavity and can pinpoint the exact location of surgical instruments.
This technology is most commonly used with patients who have had previous sinus
surgeries. Every time sinus surgery is performed, the bony structures inside the
nose change. The Stealth System gives surgeons an updated picture of the patient’s
sinus cavity, showing changes made from past surgeries.