Chronic sinus disease affects over 15% of Americans and becomes increasingly more common with age. Most of the time there is no obvious cause for chronic sinus disease, which is likely a combination of environmental and immune processes (such as allergies and chronic nasal inflammation).
Common Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis
- Nasal obstruction
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Post nasal drip
- Change in sense of smell
Treatment of Chronic Sinusitis
Initial treatment may include oral and topical antihistamines, oral and topical steroids and nasal anticholinergics to reduce post nasal drip.
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
If you suffer from chronic sinusitis and have failed medical therapy, you may be a candidate for endoscopic sinus surgery. Traditionally, sinus surgery was performed by cutting through facial skin and bone to reach the sinuses and remove the disease. This caused a significant amount of scarring, bleeding and pain.
Endoscopic sinus surgery is a minimally invasive option that is performed by introducing a small endoscope into the nose that is connected to a camera and a high-definition television monitor. This allows the surgeon to operate through the nose to specifically visualize and operate on the inflamed sinuses. More complicated cases utilize image guidance, which is based on individualized CT scans to specifically target areas of sinus disease that are hard to reach.
Compared to other, more traditional methods, endoscopic sinus surgery:
- Is less painful
- Leaves no visible scars
- Causes less bleeding
- Creates less discomfort after surgery
- Requires less packing in the nose after surgery
- Has a faster recovery period
Endoscopic sinus surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia in an operating room as an outpatient procedure. An even less invasive approach called balloon sinus dilation can also be utilized for some qualifying patients.
Our practice offers comprehensive sinus disease treatment including fiberoptic scope evaluations, in-office CT scans, medical management of sinus disease, and sinus surgery or balloon sinus dilation, if necessary. For further information, or to book an appointment with one of our physicians contact us at our Plantation (954-476-0400) or Coral Springs (954-796-0400) office.