Sinusitis occurs due to a swelling in the sinuses that results in congestion, discomfort and sometimes severe pain in the nasal region. There are many causes for nasal passage to get blocked including infections by bacteria, fungi or viruses. Small growths called polyps line the sinuses and cause blockage. Some allergies and structural problem of the nasal passage can cause sinusitis.
Most of the infections clear up by itself or with antibiotic treatment. Use of saline sprays, nasal steroids and medicines often bring relief. But there are exceptions which when your pain and trouble becomes unbearable and a condition like this if prolonged can lead to surgery for cure.
When do you need surgery?
When the use of antibiotics, nasal rinses or other treatments fail, it is better to consult your doctor immediately. A specialist will examine the nasal passage and look for structural problems including deviated septum, polyps or other problems. These structural problems can be corrected using surgery including removal of polyps which may be growing inside the nasal passage.
The main purpose of sinus surgery is to get relief from the symptoms and reduce chances of infection. Surgery will also help a patient breathe better through the nose.
Types of surgery
Mainly there are two types of surgery including endoscopy and balloon sinuplasty. Endoscopy is done by inserting thin and flexible instrument in to the nose and balloon sinuplasty is where the doctor inserts a thin tube with an attached balloon on one end, in to the nasal passage. The doctor guides the balloon to the area where there is a block and will inflate the balloon to remove the block, so that your sinus can drain better and it won’t get congested.
Risks of sinus surgery
The sinus surgery has relatively very less risks involved. The most common may be tissue injury and further infection and more serious ones may be injury to the eyes or rarely the brain. As with any surgery always get a second opinion if you still have concerns.