Sinus Surgery | Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

Endoscopic sinus surgery is typically performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Your ENT surgeon will use a thin camera to look at the inside of your nose and the openings to your sinuses in a non-invasive way. By using this endoscopic camera, the entire procedure can be performed inside the nose, avoiding any external incisions. Your surgeon will then use the endoscope to identify problems in your nose that may be causing your symptoms of congestion or frequent sinus infections, such as nasal polyps, extra bony tissue, or scar bands that need to be released. Occasionally the septum is also straightened (septoplasty)

Balloon Sinus Surgery | Balloon Sinuplasty

In balloon sinus surgery, your ENT surgeon uses an endoscope that is attached to a balloon and places this inside your nose. The inflamed or obstructed area is located and the balloon is slowly inflated to dilate the openings to the affected sinuses. If necessary, infectious sludge and debris can be flushed out with a salt water rinse.

Just like functional endoscopic sinus surgery, there are no incisions and the entire procedure is done inside the nose. Balloon dilation of the sinuses is often performed in the office but sometimes may also be performed in the operating room. Patients may go home the same day as the procedure.

Below is an animation of balloon sinus dilation: