Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery(FESS)How to Say It: Funk-shun-nul End-o-skop-ik Si-nus Sir-jury
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionFunctional endoscopic sinus surgery enlarges pathways to the sinuses. It is done using a special tube that can be passed through the nose. Reasons for ProcedureThe sinuses are hollow areas in the skull that are arranged in pairs. Mucus and other fluids drain from the sinuses through small pathways to the throat. Blockage of these pathways can cause fluids to build up in the sinuses. This can cause pain and infection. This surgery is done to open the pathways for drainage. It may be done for people who have recurring sinus infections that have not responded to other treatments.
Possible ComplicationsProblems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as:
Smoking may raise the risk of problems. What to ExpectPrior to ProcedureThe surgical team may meet with you to talk about:
AnesthesiaThe doctor may give:
Description of the ProcedureA thin tube called an endoscope will be inserted into the nose. The scope allows the doctor to view the inside of the nose. Other tools are passed through the nose to remove abnormal tissues and open the sinus pathways. The nose may be packed with bandages and splints. How Long Will It Take?2 to 4 hours Will It Hurt?You may have discomfort and feel tired in the first week. Medicine and home care can help. Will It Hurt?You will have mild swelling and discomfort. Ask your doctor about pain medication. Average Hospital StayMost people can go home the same day. If you have problems, you may need to stay longer. Post-procedure CareAt the Care CenterRight after the procedure, the staff may give you pain medicine. At HomeIt will take 2 to 3 weeks for breathing to return to normal. Some physical activities may be limited. You may need to delay your return to work. Call Your DoctorCall your doctor if any of these occurs:
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away. RESOURCES:American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery http://www.entnet.org Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Society of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery http://www.entcanada.org The College of Family Physicians of Canada http://www.cfpc.ca References:Chronic rhinosinusitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-rhinosinusitis. Accessed August 4, 2021. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery. UNC School of Medicine website. Available at: https://www.med.unc.edu/ent/patient-care/clinical-services/sinus-and-allergy-1__trashed/functional-endoscopic-sinus-surgery. Accessed August 4, 2021. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia website. Available at: https://www.chop.edu/treatments/functional-endoscopic-sinus-surgery-fess. Accessed August 4, 2021. Last reviewed July 2021 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
James Cornell, MD Last Updated: 8/4/2021 | |
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