A sinus infection can be uncomfortable and annoying. Treatment typically involves the use of medications such as antibiotics, nasal sprays and antihistamines. When sinus infections become chronic, a more aggressive treatment option may be needed. Major advances in medical technology have lead to the development of sinus surgery techniques that are minimally invasive.
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
An endoscope is a small telescope that is inserted into the nasal sinuses to allow the surgeon to operate on these membrane-lined cavities during surgery. The American Rhinologic Society explains that the surgeon's goal is to widen the channels that separate the various nasal cavities, thus alleviating any blockages that make drainage difficult. It is theorized that opening these passages allows the infected sinus membranes to heal. This technique, developed in the 1950s, has made it possible to perform sinus surgery without cutting the facial skin or removing excess tissue.
Fiber Optic Surgery
The American Academy of Otolaryngology explains that fiber optic tubes are now used as a method of visualizing the inner cavities of the skull during sinus surgery. Image guided sinus surgery is a new technology that helps relieve concerns about surgical complications due to the proximity of the sinuses to delicate structures such as the brain and eyes.
This procedure provides the surgeon with a visual image that reveals the positioning of the surgical instruments during the procedure. This allows for precise placement of these instruments when probing the passages between sinuses. It's especially useful in patients whose sinus anatomy varies from the norm.
Caldwell-Luc Procedure
When a tumor is present within the maxillary sinus, an older process known as the Caldwell-Luc procedure may be employed. This technique was developed in the 1890s and involves entering the skull through the upper jaw and removing tissues between the maxillary sinus and the nose. This creates a "window" between those two structures and allows for greater drainage from the sinus.
The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary explains that this procedure was the gold standard of surgery for chronic sinus infections in the past. Advances in endoscopic surgery have lead to its decline, though it is currently still indicated in instances in which tumors of the maxillary sinus or its adjacent structures exist.
