The para-nasal sinuses are air filled spaces in the bones of the skull, which connect to the nasal cavity. They are lined by specialized cells called mucosa. Sometimes the pathways that connect the sinuses to the nose become blocked and the mucosa becomes unhealthy. Pressure abnormalities can occur which cause pain. Sometimes these blocked sinuses become infected causing “acute” sinusitis with fever, severe facial pain and unpleasant mucopus from the nose
FESS stands for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. It is the modern approach to sinus surgery using endoscopes (telescopes) and minimally invasive techniques. The basic concept behind this sort of surgery is to try and re-establish the natural ventilation pathways between the nasal cavity and the sinuses, and so improve the “function” of the nose. It also allows drugs in the form of nasal sprays, to penetrate further into the sinuses, which are opened to the inside of the nose. The surgery usually consists of removing very small amounts of tissue from the nose, but from critical areas, through which the sinuses drain. Some patients with sinusitis also develop nasal polyps and these are also removed during FESS. In some cases it is also necessary for the surgeon to straighten the nasal septum (the midline partition between the 2 nasal cavities) in order to gain access to the sinuses.
We aim to examine the inside of your nose and sinuses and treat any problems that are found. Our Surgeon use very narrow telescopes called Endoscopes, to do the examination. These endoscopes are about as thick as a drinking straw and have special lenses that allow us to see around corners. This helps the surgeon to see into the narrow passages deep inside your nose that lead into the various sinuses. The surgeons look into each of the narrow passages to find out which ones are blocked and causing trouble.
Using very fine instruments we remove very small amounts of bone or infected tissue from the passageways and sinuses. This will re-establish normal ventilation and mucus drainage from the sinuses.
You will usually have general anaesthesia and be unconscious for the operation. Occasionally, it may be possible using local anaesthetic and sedation, especially for minor procedures. Discuss this option with your surgeon.
