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Has a stuffy nose kept you from enjoying the fresh air? Nasal congestion can happen at any time due to conditions like allergies or the common cold, but those with chronic sinusitis experience it more frequently. If sinus infections have made it harder to take a deep breath, your solution might be a quick outpatient procedure performed right here at CEENTA.
Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, is caused by a bacterial or viral infection that causes the sinus cavities around the nose and face to be inflamed. This inflammation can also affect the nasal passages by preventing mucus from draining, causing it to build up and making it harder to breathe through your nose.
Acute sinusitis is relatively short-term and lasts for up to four weeks. Sinus infections that do not readily clear up and last for three months or longer are considered chronic sinusitis and require additional treatment.
Over-the-counter medications and nasal sprays can provide relief from sinusitis symptoms, but some patients need something more long-term. Your physician may recommend functional endoscopic sinus surgery (or FESS), which is a minimally invasive procedure performed inside the nose to treat blockages that are impeding your breathing.
During a FESS treatment, you will be given general anesthesia or a local anesthetic along with a decongestant to open the nasal passages. Your surgeon will perform the surgery with an endoscope and specialized tools to remove inflamed mucosal tissue and/or nasal polyps. The surgery typically lasts between one and three hours depending on the severity of your condition.
Suitable candidates for FESS are those with recurring sinus infections occurring four or more times a year or chronic infections that have not responded to over-the-counter or prescription medications.
FESS surgery is also beneficial for patients with conditions like:
FESS is an outpatient procedure, meaning that you will not be required to stay overnight at a hospital. Nasal congestion, mild bleeding and discomfort are to be expected as side effects during your initial recovery. Recommended postop care tips include:
Within three weeks, you can resume your regular routine.
FESS may not be suitable for every patient, so it is important to discuss your options with your physician. According to Isaac Dingle, MD, a CEENTA otolaryngologist who practices out of our Pineville office, “Many patients can avoid sinus surgery if they take their prescribed medications and adhere to a good nasal regimen, such as rinsing the nose with saline and using prescribed intranasal medications. Properly controlling nasal allergies is also very important. We can perform allergy testing and allergy immunotherapy at CEENTA to help those with chronic sinus issues.”
As an alternative to FESS, some patients opt for balloon sinuplasty, where an inflatable balloon is inserted into the nose to open the sinus passage. “This type of procedure is less invasive and performed in the office with local numbing medication,” Dr. Dingle said.
Sinus surgery has been clinically proven to be a long-term treatment for chronic sinusitis patients, with most facing little to no recurring symptoms like nasal congestion. If you have been struggling to breathe because of lingering sinus infections, schedule your next consultation with Dr. Isaac Dingle in Pineville today to see if FESS or balloon sinuplasty is right for you.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician.
CEENTA ENT physician Christopher Tebbit, MD, appeared on WCNC's Charlotte Today on November 22nd, 2023, to discuss sinus infection symptoms and surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
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