The Benefits of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

I talk a lot about endoscopic sinus surgery in my practice and here in the blog. There’s a good reason for this: endoscopic sinus surgery is the most modern and effective approach we have for treating a variety of sinus ailments, and the gold standard in sinus surgery. Using nothing more than a small, lighted tube and a collection of precision-crafted surgical instruments, today’s sinus surgeons can permanently reshape and repair damaged tissue on an outpatient basis. Which means no visible scars, and minimal recovery time.

Since endoscopic nasal/sinus surgery is ideal for a number of nasal and sinus issues, I want to devote a post to discussing just a few.

Deviated Septum

Septal surgery, or septoplasty, is a nasal procedure that can resolve the symptoms of a deviated septum, including labored breathing, frequent nosebleeds and difficulty sleeping. Using the endoscope, your surgeon makes tiny incisions inside the nostril, then uses various medical instruments to reshape and reorient the offending tissue. Invisible splints may be introduced briefly following the surgery, but these are typically removed within a matter of days. The result: restored septal symmetry, an open airway, and vastly improved comfort.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis arises when sinuses become blocked and cannot drain. Bacterial populations can take hold and begin to multiply, increasing the pressure and inflammation within your paranasal sinuses. The experience is often agonizing – patients come into my Los Angeles sinus surgery office complaining of unbearable pressure and obstruction. Endoscopic sinus surgery is one of the best ways to treat chronic sinusitis (balloon sinuplasty is another), allowing your sinus surgeon to irrigate the area and remove any blockages to help you avoid the same issue in the future.

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps swell into existence when chronic inflammation or infection degrades the cell walls in your mucosa, causing them to take on water and droop. These polyps are usually not dangerous on their own, but they can lead to a host of secondary symptoms such as difficulty breathing, losing your sense of smell and sinus blockages. Endoscopic sinus surgery can remove these polyps safely and quickly, freeing up the airway and letting you breathe easier in a matter of hours.

Endoscopic sinus surgery is more than one procedure: it is an umbrella term that describes several kinds of sinus surgery, all of which take advantage of the smallest and most accurate medical instruments available. At my Los Angeles sinus surgery offices, I perform endoscopic sinus surgeries often, and I am proud of a success rate that dwarfs the national average. If you have a stubborn sinus ailment and want a compassionate surgical perspective, please feel free to contact my practice here.

Tags: endoscopic sinus surgery, los angeles ent, nasal polyps, septoplasty, sinusitis