Sinus Surgery

When is sinus surgery necessary? When the complications of sinusitis develop, sinus surgery may be needed on an urgent basis. Less urgent sinus surgery may be necessary when chronic sinusitis fails to respond to extensive and thorough medical therapy. For chronic sinusitis this usually involves a prolonged antibiotic course, preferably culture-directed, a course of steroids, nasal saline irrigations, and if allergic, treatment for allergies. CT scans are also needed to confirm that symptoms are related to the sinuses. As an example a patient with headache as a symptom may have other causes for such (eg. migraine or tension/ stress) that would not respond to sinus surgery. Endoscopy will be used also to help determine the causative agents and potential treatment options for them. Sinus Surgery Educational Links: American Rhinologic Society American Academy of Otolaryngology Virtual Sinus Anatomy American Rhinologic Society - Endoscopic Sinus Surgery American Rhinologic Society - Complications of Nasal and Sinus Surgery MedicineNet.com - Sinsu Surgery

Associated Conditions
Allergic Fungal Sinusitis	Epistaxis/Nosebleeds
Nasal Obstruction	Sinonasal Tumors/Polyps/Masses
Sinusitis	Tonsils & Adenoids

Associated Technologies
Balloon Sinuplasty	Image Guided Surgical Navigation
Sinus CT

Associated Physicians
Alex Stewart, M.D.	Karen J. Fong, M.D.
Winston C. Vaughan, M.D.

NOTE: This information is not intended to substitute for a consultation with your physician. It is offered to educate the patient and his or her family on the basis of otolaryngology conditions in order to get the most out of their office visits and consultations. Please see our disclaimer for additional information