Candidates for sinus surgery can thank fiber optic technology for removing the risk of disfigurement from the procedure. Prior to advances in current standards for sinus surgery, doctors had to make incisions in the face in order to access the sinus. The use of a nasal endoscope makes the procedure incision free.
According Dr. Jay M. Dutton in a 2010 article for the American Rhinologic Society, endoscopic sinus surgeries using fiber optic telescopes can be performed with less wound packing, pain and recovery time than previously possible. On rare occasions, adverse effects still occur.
Anesthesia Complications
Sinus surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia. The risks associated with general anesthesia are the same for most forms of surgery. Allergic reactions are possible, along with other serious side effects such as heart attack and stroke, according to MedlinePlus. These risks are more common in those with pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
Other anesthesia risks are less life-threatening, but still of concern to patients and doctors. These include gastrointestinal disturbances, sore throat, chipped teeth and headache.
Ocular Complications
The proximity of the sinuses to the eyes makes them potentially vulnerable to injury during sinus surgery, according to Dr. Tariq Bhatti in a 2001 article in the journal "Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery." The surgical cutting instruments used in the procedure are capable of cutting through the medial wall of the eye socket, and cause complications that prevent proper movement of the eye.
Infection
Infection is a potential risk in any surgical procedure, as the introduction of surgical instruments into the body invites the potential entry of pathogens as well. Drainage of blood and fluid is a normal occurrence after sinus surgery and necessitates the placement of bandaging beneath the nose. However, if the drainage is observed to be smelly, thick or greenish, it could be a sign of infection and the patient should notify his doctor.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage
Sinus surgery will sometimes cause a leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, a liquid that bathes and protects the brain and spinal cord. Such leaks typically heal of their own accord after several days of bed rest, but MedlinePlus warns that excessive leakage could have more sinister repercussions, including meningitis.
Excessive Bleeding
Some bleeding is normal following endoscopic sinus surgery. The gauze packing under the patient's nose will fill with blood and need to be changed several times over the first 24 hours after the procedure. The bleeding should ease off to minimal levels after that period, according to the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. In cases where bleeding does not decrease, excessive blood loss may necessitate a transfusion.
References
- The New York Eye And Ear Infirmary: What to Expect Before Sinus Surgery
- "Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery": Ocular Motility Complications After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery with Powered Cutting Instruments: Tariq Bhatti, MD: November, 2001
- American Rhinologic Society: Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
- MedlinePlus: Sinus Surgery
- Canadian Society of Otolaryngology: Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
