Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
The sinuses are air-filled bony structures located within the skull which are lined with a mucous membranes. The skull has four paired sinuses (frontal, ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid). The frontal sinuses are just deep to the forehead. The ethmoids are located between the eyes. The maxillary sinuses are below the eyes and behind the cheekbones. Lastly, the sphenoid sinuses are located deep within the skull behind the orbits (eye sockets).
No one knows the exact function of the sinuses, but we do know that they can cause problems. In a healthy nose, the normal mucous secretions from the sinuses drain freely into the nasal cavity. When one or more sinuses become obstructed and these secretions cannot drain, the sinuses becomes inflamed or infected, a condition called acute rhinosinusitis.
In most cases, rhinosinusitis can be treated successfully with medications. Treatment options include: antibiotics, decongestants, topical or oral steroids, and nasal rinses. If a sinus infection lasts longer than 12 weeks, and does not respond to available medications, it is referred to as chronic sinusitis. These patients may benefit from functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is an outpatient operation that is designed to re-establish the normal drainage of the sinuses into the nasal cavity. It is done with telescopes and delicate instruments, so there is no scarring, facial swelling, or bruising. Endoscopic sinus surgery may be performed in conjunction with other operations, including septoplasty or turbinate reduction. Patients will be discharged home the same day. Your physician will discuss whether endoscopic sinus surgery is appropriate.