Sinusitis surgery can help the sinuses drain easier, though it is usually the last resort after medication fails to control the problem. While surgery does not guarantee that congestion will never occur again, it can finally improve the issue. Most doctors use an endoscope during the procedure, which is a tiny video camera with a light that allows the surgeon to get a good look inside the body. During this type of surgery, blockages in the sinuses are located and removed, after which you will likely be able to return home to recover. This procedure is typically an outpatient kind that requires anesthesia, followed by narcotic pain medication for about a week.
Most doctors use an endoscope to perform sinusitis surgery so that they can see what they are doing on a monitor that displays the video from inside the body. Using this method, the surgeon will look for blockage in the sinuses, such as swollen tissue, bone, or polyps. Not only is the blockage removed, but the sinus openings can also be enlarged through this procedure. In some cases, an endoscope cannot be used, perhaps due to pus, an infection, or brain abscess. In such cases, traditional surgery is performed instead, requiring the surgeon to operate through the mouth to make the sinus openings larger.
As long as you are not allergic to it, anesthesia will likely be used during sinusitis surgery, which means that you should find a ride home afterward since you cannot drive while on this drug. You may feel some mild discomfort after the procedure, so expect to take pain medication for up to about a week. You will likely notice some bloody discharge from your nose, as well as a sore throat due to the breathing tube required for the anesthesia during sinusitis surgery. Additionally, you may feel tired for one to two weeks after the procedure, which is why you are advised to take about a week off work to recover.
One of the best ways to recover quickly is to keep your head elevated for at least a few days following the procedure, as this will help reduce the feeling of pressure or pain in your head. You should also refrain from blowing your nose while you recover, and keep your mouth open when you sneeze or cough. You are expected to see your doctor many times within the first six weeks after sinusitis surgery, but you should return sooner than scheduled if you notice vision problems or excessive bleeding.