Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

What is endoscopic sinus surgery?

Endoscopic sinus surgery removes small bits of bone and tissue that block the nose and sinuses. This opens up your sinuses and may relieve your symptoms by improving drainage of your sinuses through your nose. It also allows nasal sprays and rinses to get into the nose much better. This surgery is done through your nose using cameras, so there are no cuts on the outside of the face.

When is surgery recommended?

Sinus surgery is recommended if you have frequent sinus infections or chronic symptoms of nasal congestion, drainage, facial pressure, and/or decreased smell that do not improve with standard medications.

What should I expect from surgery?

You will be asleep during the surgery. The doctor uses a long camera (or “scope”) to see inside your nose. Then the doctor puts special tools alongside the scope through your nose in order to remove whatever is blocking your sinuses.

What are the risks?

Your doctor will most likely use your CT imaging as a roadmap in order to see where they are operating in your nose. This will help them avoid damaging important nearby structures like your eye or skull.

What should I expect after surgery?

At the end of the surgery, your doctor may place packing in your nose in order to prevent bleeding and scarring. Your doctor may need to remove this packing in clinic by using a camera (scope). You will be asked to start doing sinus rinses two times per day to help promote healing and prevent dryness. The rinses will help remove crusting and debris for the first 1-2 months. Congestion, nasal bleeding, and facial pressure are common for a few days after surgery — it may feel like you have a bad cold.

Most people go home a few hours after surgery and return to light work duties and a normal routine in about 1-2 weeks, but it depends on the type of work you do and how complex your surgery was. You will need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 1-2 weeks.