There are two nasal cavities, one on the right and one on the left of the nasal septum. There are four types of air cavities located adjacent to the nasal cavities and these are called paranasal sinuses. It plays a role in the resonance of the voice, protecting the brain from trauma, humidifying the air and lightening the skull. Paranasal sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity through special channels. Any condition that blocks this connection path will impair paranasal sinus ventilation and increase susceptibility to infection.
Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses is called sinusitis. Sinusitis can manifest itself with symptoms such as facial pain, nasal congestion, nasal or postnasal drip, and fever. According to the duration of the inflammation, those lasting less than 4 weeks are considered acute, those lasting between 4 and 12 weeks are considered subacute, and those lasting more than 12 weeks are considered chronic. Chronic sinusitis is divided into two groups: with polyps and without polyps.
Evaluating the nasal cavity with endoscopic nasal examination in diagnosis helps us see a larger area more clearly than anterior rhinoscopy. When deemed necessary by the physician, it is possible to make further evaluations for sinusitis with imaging methods such as computed tomography and sometimes magnetic resonance.
If sinusitis does not heal with medical treatment, it may enter the process of becoming chronic. Endoscopic sinus surgery is an effective method for chronic sinusitis that is resistant to medical treatment. In this case, the purpose of endoscopic sinus surgery is to eliminate the pathologies that block the opening paths of the sinuses into the nasal cavity. In addition, endoscopic sinus surgery can be used in the treatment of tumors originating from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus, skull base fractures due to head trauma, bone wall fractures at the base of the eyeball, and pressure reduction in case of pressure on the optic nerve.
Points to consider before endoscopic sinus surgery.
Endoscopic sinus surgery is not recommended for people with bleeding disorders. Since the risk of bleeding will decrease 1 week after the use of aspirin and oral blood thinners (anticoagulant) drugs, surgery can be performed during this period. In patients with hypertension a Adjusting blood pressure values to a proper level before surgery helps reduce bleeding during the operation. A patient with acute sinusitis should have surgery after the infection has passed because the risk of bleeding will be less. In case of multiple nasal polyps with chronic sinusitis, giving medical treatment before surgery will contribute to the shrinkage of the polyps and allow the surgery to be more bloodless.
What is done in endoscopic sinus surgery?
Endoscopic sinus surgery does not require any external treatment. It is entered through the nostrils with an endoscope without an incision and provides a more controlled intervention compared to classical sinus surgery techniques with high visual clarity. Endoscopic sinus surgery provides the physician with a better view and contributes to surgical success.
What possible risks are there during the surgery?
The nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses have blood supply from many regions. Therefore, active bleeding is a complication that may develop during surgery. There are connective tissues around the eye and the eye on the side of the nasal cavity. Damage may occur in this area due to surgery. Damage to the tear duct may occur. Infection or damage inside the head is a rare complication.
Read: 0
