Developed in the 1950’s, the nasal telescope has greatly changed the evaluation and treatment of rhinosinusitis. This instrument, which provides a view of the structures in the nose and sinuses, is used both in the operating room and in the office.
During initial office visits, the otorhinolaryngologist (ENT physician) will use the telescope for diagnosis. The telescope allows for better visualization within the nose and sinuses, and together with sinus CT scans, often reveals problems that otherwise would not be evident.
The nasal telescope also gives a view for “opening” the natural drainage passages during sinus surgery. These procedures are performed without facial incisions — since both the telescope and other instruments may be passed through the nostrils. Before nasal telescope, sinus surgery was often destructive and focused on the removal of so-called “diseased” tissue; however, today’s endoscopic procedures are performed with much more finesse.
This video segment illustrates the endoscopic visualization achieved during endoscopic sinus surgery.
These techniques generally eliminate the need for traditional external incisions — although in rare instances, the telescope may be used through an external incision.
Another important feature is that functional endoscopic sinus surgery focuses on treating the underlying cause of the problem. The ethmoid areas are usually opened; this then allows for visualization of the maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses. The sinuses can then be viewed directly, and diseased or obstructive tissue removed as necessary. There is often less removal of normal tissue, and thus healing is quicker and outcomes are better.
Recovery after the surgery is often faster than anticipated. The surgery is most commonly performed on an outpatient basis (or with a 23-hour hospital stay), and the patient may return to near normal activity in 1-2 weeks.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is generally reserved for those patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the mucosal tissues of the nose and sinuses) that persists despite aggressive medical treatment (typically antibiotics, oral steroids, topical nasal sprays, mucus-thinning drugs, and/or anti-allergy treatments).
It should be remembered that many conditions can cause nasal and sinus symptoms; therefore, the diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis must be confirmed through a detailed evaluation, including nasal endoscopy and CT scans. Most patients with chronic rhinosinusitis will not require sinus surgery, since antibiotics and other medications will often provide symptom relief.
Because bacterial infection is felt to be one of the most important factors in chronic rhinosinusitis, initial treatment includes long courses of oral antibiotics. Other medications that reduce inflammation (mostly steroids) and reduce mucus viscosity (guaifenesin) are also used. When these treatments do not provide meaningful improvement, or the symptoms return after treatment is stopped, then sinus surgery is considered.
On occasion, functional endoscopic sinus surgery may be required for the drainage of mucocele (a blocked sinus that is filled with mucus and slowly expanding). Mucoceles typically produce no symptoms until they are quite large and compressing the eye or brain. Thus, early drainage is required to prevent this complication.
The decision to proceed with sinus surgery is a complex one that requires careful consideration of many factors. This process begins with a careful initial evaluation, including a detailed history and physical examination as well as nasal endoscopy. Previous CT scans (if available) are helpful, and previous treatment records are also reviewed.
The initial step for chronic rhinosinusitis treatment is medical therapy. If previous treatment has been inadequate, then complete medical treatment will be started so that the need for surgery may be eliminated.
If medical treatment is unsuccessful, then it is appropriate to consider sinus surgery. Your physician will discuss this procedure in detail with you. After your consent is obtained, preoperative testing will be completed and the surgery will be scheduled.
All patients need to have a relatively recent CT scan before surgery. In some instances, CT scans performed at other institutions may need to be repeated at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Depending on your overall health, routine preoperative testing may include blood work, EKG, and CXR. Additional testing may also be necessary. If testing is performed at another institution, results will need to be sent to the Cleveland Clinic for inclusion in your medical record.
Typically, you will have a preoperative visit shortly before your planned surgery. Pre-operative studies may be scheduled for this day.
In some cases, your physician will prescribe medications for you to take before your surgery. Please start these treatments as directed.
If you have asthma, please continue to take all of your asthma medications, even if your asthma seems under good control.
Of course, please continue to take all of your other medications, unless you are directed not to do so.
Also remember:
Finally, it is important to schedule your post-operative visits before surgery. These visits are an important part of the surgical plan.
The surgery is typically not uncomfortable and should not be an unpleasant experience. Most sinus surgery procedures are performed under general anesthesia (If local anesthesia with intravenous sedation is an option, your surgeon will discuss this with you.).
The surgery will only begin after the anesthesiologist administers the anesthetic drugs. Your surgeon will proceed as discussed in the office. Of course, intra-operative findings may require adjustments to the surgical plan so that the procedure may be completed to give you the best possible result.
At the end of the surgery, it is rarely necessary to place traditional nasal packing. In some instances, resorbable material, which helps control bleeding and acts as dressing, may be placed in the sinuses, and in other instances, no material whatsoever is placed in the sinuses.
In some cases, it may be necessary to repair the nasal septum at the time of sinus surgery. Similarly, surgical reduction of the inferior turbinates may also be performed. Septal surgery and turbinate reduction will be reviewed with you before surgery if your surgeon feels that these may be necessary.
Some bloody discharge may occur for approximately two weeks after this procedure. This is normal and slowly improves. You should not blow your nose for at two weeks following surgery. As normal sinus drainage becomes reestablished, you may blow out some thick bloody mucus. This is also normal.
After surgery, you will receive detailed instructions for your postop care. The details may vary, but in most instances, these measures include nasal irrigations, oral antibiotics, and pain medicine.
This video segment illustrates the healthy middle meatus after sinus surgery.
In addition, routine post-operative office visits are necessary. During these visits, the surgical cavity is cleaned and inspected. Early scar tissue may be removed, and the medical treatment strategy will be adjusted.
Although complications from the manipulations performed during the post-operative visits are very rare, the theoretical risks are the same as the surgery itself. Consent for surgery includes consent for post-operative care, since the surgery and post-operative care are so closely related.
It is possible that the disease may not be cured by the operation, or that disease may recur at a later time. If this should happen, subsequent surgical therapy may be required. It should be realized that medical therapy is usually continued after surgery, especially if allergy or polyps play a role. This medical treatment minimizes the risk of recurrence.
Overall, the majority of patients report significant improvement with the combination of surgery and continued medical management. We will certainly work with you to attain this goal after surgery.