Severe sinusitis can greatly affect your quality of life. Sinuses are the cavities that are present around the nose and eyes. They are responsible for making the skull light. They also produce mucus, which acts as a protector against infections, dirt, and pollution. But if the sinuses are blocked due to any germs, it leads to infection.
If the sinusitis is mild and caused by an infection, it can be stopped through the use of over-the-counter medications, nasal steroids, etc. But if it is severe, and the symptoms cannot be treated with medications, surgery may be performed. The surgery focuses on clearing the pathways of sinuses.
When Do I Need Surgery for Sinusitis?
Whether you need surgery for treating sinusitis is based on its cause. Sinusitis causes discomfort and nasal congestion due to the swelling of the sinuses. The condition is caused by the blockage of nasal or sinus pathways. There can be several reasons for the blockage namely bacterial infection, polyps, a crooked wall between nostrils, allergies, etc.
If your condition does not get better after using medications, or other treatments, you should consider visiting a specialist. If your condition keeps coming back, it indicates some problems with the nasal cavity and surgery can help you. The doctor also suggests surgery if the condition is caused due to polyps, structural problems, or a deviated spectrum.
The surgery mainly focuses on reducing the signs and treating the cause of the blockage. If your lose sense of taste and smell due to nasal polyps or congestion, surgery can greatly help you feel better. The surgery also improves the breathing ability through your nose.
What are the Different Options for Undergoing the Sinusitis Surgery?
If you decide on surgery to treat your condition, there are different types of surgeries and endoscopic sinus surgery is the most common procedure. The following are the different types of surgeries:
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery: It is the most commonly used procedure and it uses an endoscope device. The endoscope is a thin tube that is inserted into the nose along with other surgical instruments. Using these instruments, the doctor can view the blockage and remove polyps, obstructive tissues and others to clear the blockage. The recovery is also faster as no cuts will be made on the skin during the procedure. You can mostly go home after the procedure.
- Image-guided sinus surgery: This procedure is an advanced, safer and more secure process. It is preferred to clear severe sinus blockages and is used after performing other sinus surgeries. This procedure makes use of a three-dimensional mapping system to let the doctor know the exact location of the instruments in the sinuses. Using imaging techniques is safer as the tissue is removed without affecting the surrounding area.
- Balloon sinuplasty: Balloon sinuplasty is performed if the doctor does not need to remove any tissues or others from the sinuses. The procedure involves sending a thin tube into the nose with a balloon to one end. The balloon will be redirected to the blockage area and then inflated. The blockage gets cleared and the sinuses get drained. If balloon sinuplasty cannot remove the blockage of sinuses, it is performed with endoscopic or image-guided surgery.
- Caldwell-Luc operation: This procedure is performed if there is any growth inside the sinus cavity. It is less preferred as it is an invasive procedure. The procedure requires making an incision in the upper jaw inside the mouth. The procedure uses either local or general anesthesia.
Looking for Sinusitis Treatment? Klavo Clinics Can Help You
If you have been suffering from severe sinusitis and looking for a solution, Klavo Clinic can be your right place to go. We offer international standards of healthcare, with advanced diagnostic & treatment facilities. We are very patient and will listen to your concerns without hesitation. To know more about us, schedule an appointment with us.