Physicians perform functional endoscopic sinus surgery in order to treat chronic sinus infections. According to the book "Otolaryngology---Head and Neck Surgery" by Byron Bailey, the operation is performed by inserting a small camera into the nasal cavity to view the sinuses. The surgeon simultaneously uses instruments to open up the passages into the sinuses and repair any anatomic deformities that may have caused the sinuses to be blocked. Some risks have been associated with this procedure.
Bleeding
Bleeding is a common side effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgery, says MayoClinic.com. The lining of the nasal cavity and sinuses contains many blood vessels and bleeds very easily. As the surgeon opens up the sinus cavities, bleeding is inevitable. Although surgeons strive to limit the amount of bleeding during the operation, sometimes patients awaken with the nose still bleeding.
Orbital Hematoma
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, an orbital hematoma is one of the more dangerous risks of functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The divider between the orbit of the eye and the sinuses is very thin and can inadvertently be punctured during the operation. When a surgeon damages the inside of the orbit or causes bleeding into the orbit from the sinus, the collection of blood in the orbital cavity forms a hematoma. An orbital hematoma can cause permanent damage to a person's vision.
Double Vision
Double vision is a dangerous side effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgery, Bailey notes. Because the separation between the orbit of the eye and the sinuses is very thin, the surgeon can accidentally enter the orbit and damage one of the muscles that controls the eye. If one of those muscles gets damaged, that eye can no longer move the same as the other one and that results in double vision.
Impaired Smell
The American Academy of Family Physicians cites a temporary impairment of the sense of smell as a common side effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Patients commonly experience inflammation in the nose and sinuses after functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and that inflammation can cause blockage of the smell receptors. The blood from the operation can also dry up over the smell receptors and temporarily block the sense of smell.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Chronic Sinusitis Treatments
- AAFP: Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
- "Otolaryngology---Head and Neck Surgery"; Byron Bailey; 2006
