Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a minimally invasive procedure to treat serious sinus conditions. Sinus infections fill up the sinus pouches in the nose with mucus, severely blocking the airway and causing breathing issues. This minimally invasive sinus surgery is done with an endoscope. It is a thin tube with a telescopic camera to see the blockage and remove the cause of the blockage- a bone or inflamed sinus tissue.
Initially, an endoscope is used for diagnosis to better view the nose’s internal condition and map the blockage. In surgery, the endoscope is used to continuously see, operate and amend the internal nose structure to open the blockage.
The palatine tonsils, which we commonly call tonsils, function as the body’s natural defence system against infection. They help to prevent the infection from going down to the throat. When they catch an infection, they swell and produce pain, and this condition of swollen tonsils is called tonsillitis.
Typically, tonsillitis subdues with salt-water gargle, medications, and sometimes on its own. However, it can also be very painful and problematic, requiring surgical removal of tonsils, called tonsillectomy. Dr Peter, one of the best tonsils doctors in Dubai, believes that tonsillectomy relieves painful symptoms of tonsillitis and ends its suffering.
Aim of Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)
The FESS procedure aims to enlarge sinus ostia, remove the blockage, restore proper aeration of sinuses, and improve mucociliary transport.
Severe sinusitis can affect the overall oxygen level in the body and cause sleep apnea. If ignored for a long time can cause serious breathing issues leading to nerve damage due to oxygen deficiency.
When is functional endoscopic sinus surgery in Dubai indicated?
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is typically recommended for treating severe rhinosinusitis, aiming to alleviate its symptoms. Dr. Peter, your ENT specialist, will review your medical history and examine your nose. He will also demand a CT scan or endoscopy to diagnose the exact cause or obstruction causing sinusitis.
How do we perform functional endoscopic sinus surgery in Dubai?
Each surgery is planned differently, with different objectives. In some cases, just the mucosal drainage and nasal bone reposition can resolve the sinusitis, whereas some require soft bone removal to open a wider nasal passage for aeration.
However, the standard FESS procedure will proceed in the following way:
- Dr. Peter will spray a decongestant medication in your nose.
- He will examine the nasal cavity with an endoscopy.
- He will inject a numbing agent into the nose.
- Further, he will gently perform the endoscopic surgery, inserting surgical tools. Dr. Peter will insert a small rotating tool to scrape the diseased tissue. The surgery will remove bone, diseased tissue, or polyps- blocking your sinuses.
- Finally, Dr. Peter will check the passage and ensure the FESS is done rightly.
- Once confirmed, he will stuff the absorbent in the nasal canal to prevent the blood or discharge from coming from the nose.
Dr. Peter will ask you to keep your nose elevated for some time until the blood ceases to come out. You may have some blood loss afterwards, also. You are directed about aftercare instructions, and Dr. Peter will strictly advise you to avoid lifting heavy objects and do strenuous exercises.
What are the other benefits of functional endoscopic sinus surgery?
Although the main objective of this procedure is to fix the breathing issues and rehabilitate the airflow, FESS benefits in the following ways also:
- Corrects deviated septum
- Reduces and eliminates nasal obstructions
- Fixes dilapidated or collapsed nasal valves causing obstruction
- Improves smelling sense
- Alleviates sleep apnea disorder
- Corrects injuries or congenital abnormalities of the nose.
Minimally Invasive! Negligible Recovery Downtime Needed In FESS
The FESS surgery has 80-90% success rates and much less recovery downtime. In fact, you will observe improvement in breathing right from the day of surgery. Dr. Peter is one highly experienced endoscopic sinus surgery doctor in Dubai. He has won several awards for his excellent performance in surgery.
He will advise you to avoid pressuring your nose, breathe softly, and open your mouth while sneezing or coughing. He will also ask you to avoid exposure to smoky or dusty atmospheres.
Book a face-to-face consultation with Dr. Peter Baptista Jardin, and discuss your sinusitis issues in detail.
