Updated November 30, 2014.
What is Sinus Surgery
Sinus surgery is a term used for multiple surgical procedures usually performed with an endoscope. Chronic sinusitis is an indication for sinus surgery as well as chronic congestion, breathing difficulty or sleep apnea. Some people with sinus problems also may have auditory tube insufficiency and the insertion of ventilation tubes is sometimes performed at the same time as sinus surgery.
Sinus surgery may include:
Sinus surgery is most often performed as a same day procedure by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, throat specialist).
Before Having Sinus Surgery
Make arrangements for time off of work or school. It is difficult to estimate an exact time that it will take someone to recover since it depends on the individual, their health circumstances, and the exact procedures they have done. However, you should arrange for a few days to a week off of work at minimum. You may wish to consult your physician before deciding how much time to take off.
Your surgeon will most likely instruct you not to take any blood thinning medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, high doses of vitamin E, or prescription drugs such as Coumadin for a period of time before your surgery.
You should follow these instructions carefully to prevent abnormal bleeding during and after your procedure.
You will be given narcotic type medications during and after your surgery so prior to your surgery you should arrange for someone to drive you home. It's also a good idea to arrange to have someone stay with you for about 24 hours after surgery.
Purchase a cool mist humidifier. Using a cool mist humidifier at your bedside after your surgery can keep your nasal passages moist, easing pain and speeding the recovery process following sinus surgery.
You will need to stop eating and drinking for a period of time prior to your surgery (usually 6-8 hours). A nurse or doctor will give you specific instructions on this shortly before the day of your surgery. Follow these instructions carefully to avoid serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia. For more information read: Why Can't I Eat Before Surgery?
Day of Surgery
Do not wear any jewelry or anything metal on your body.
If you are a woman of child bearing age and you have not had a complete hysterectomy you will be asked to take a pregnancy test.
The surgery itself normally takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the exact procedures you have done. You will also be monitored for a period of time after your procedure to make sure your vital signs are stable, you do not need oxygen, your pain is under control, and any nausea or vomiting you may experience is under control. Once this criteria is met and you have been instructed on taking care of yourself at home you will be discharged.
It is normal to sleepy and a little bit "out of it" the day of surgery. You should not drive or participate in activities that require you to be awake and alert. You should go home and rest.
After Sinus Surgery
You should have received instructions from your surgeon before being discharged, you should follow these instructions carefully and they supercede anything you read in this article as they have been tailored to fit your exact circumstances. Don't hesitate to call your doctor with any questions or concerns you may have.
In general is not uncommon to have a mild bloody nose after sinus surgery. You may have been given a "mustache dressing" which is a gauze dressing that sits on your upper lip and catches any blood that may drip from your nose. Bleeding generally decreases and becomes lighter in color over the next 24 hours. Keep your head elevated and avoid lying down flat so that bloody secretions are not swallowed.
If you have been given narcotic pain medicine it may make you dizzy or drowsy. It can also make you constipated, you can take an over-the-counter stool-softener or laxative to combat this side effect.
Do not resume taking blood-thinning medications until you have been cleared by your surgeon to do so.
Call your doctor with any worrisome symptoms you have such as excessive bleeding, uncontrolled pain, fever, or anything else you find concerning.
Sources:
American Rhinologic Society. Expectations of Sinus Surgery. Accessed: November 29, 2014 from http://care.american-rhinologic.org/expectations_of_sinus_surgery
Stanford School of Medicine. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Patient's Guide. Accessed: November 29, 2014 from http://med.stanford.edu/ohns/sinuscenter/resources/sinus_guide.html
What is Sinus Surgery
Sinus surgery is a term used for multiple surgical procedures usually performed with an endoscope. Chronic sinusitis is an indication for sinus surgery as well as chronic congestion, breathing difficulty or sleep apnea. Some people with sinus problems also may have auditory tube insufficiency and the insertion of ventilation tubes is sometimes performed at the same time as sinus surgery.
Sinus surgery may include:
- the removal of nasal polyps
- submucosal resection of the nose
- opening up the pathways that lead to the sinus cavities for better drainage
- the reduction of turbinates
- removing infectious debris or diseased tissue from the sinus cavities
- adenoidectomy
Sinus surgery is most often performed as a same day procedure by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, throat specialist).
Before Having Sinus Surgery
Make arrangements for time off of work or school. It is difficult to estimate an exact time that it will take someone to recover since it depends on the individual, their health circumstances, and the exact procedures they have done. However, you should arrange for a few days to a week off of work at minimum. You may wish to consult your physician before deciding how much time to take off.
Your surgeon will most likely instruct you not to take any blood thinning medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, high doses of vitamin E, or prescription drugs such as Coumadin for a period of time before your surgery.
You should follow these instructions carefully to prevent abnormal bleeding during and after your procedure.
You will be given narcotic type medications during and after your surgery so prior to your surgery you should arrange for someone to drive you home. It's also a good idea to arrange to have someone stay with you for about 24 hours after surgery.
Purchase a cool mist humidifier. Using a cool mist humidifier at your bedside after your surgery can keep your nasal passages moist, easing pain and speeding the recovery process following sinus surgery.
You will need to stop eating and drinking for a period of time prior to your surgery (usually 6-8 hours). A nurse or doctor will give you specific instructions on this shortly before the day of your surgery. Follow these instructions carefully to avoid serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia. For more information read: Why Can't I Eat Before Surgery?
Day of Surgery
Do not wear any jewelry or anything metal on your body.
If you are a woman of child bearing age and you have not had a complete hysterectomy you will be asked to take a pregnancy test.
The surgery itself normally takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the exact procedures you have done. You will also be monitored for a period of time after your procedure to make sure your vital signs are stable, you do not need oxygen, your pain is under control, and any nausea or vomiting you may experience is under control. Once this criteria is met and you have been instructed on taking care of yourself at home you will be discharged.
It is normal to sleepy and a little bit "out of it" the day of surgery. You should not drive or participate in activities that require you to be awake and alert. You should go home and rest.
After Sinus Surgery
You should have received instructions from your surgeon before being discharged, you should follow these instructions carefully and they supercede anything you read in this article as they have been tailored to fit your exact circumstances. Don't hesitate to call your doctor with any questions or concerns you may have.
In general is not uncommon to have a mild bloody nose after sinus surgery. You may have been given a "mustache dressing" which is a gauze dressing that sits on your upper lip and catches any blood that may drip from your nose. Bleeding generally decreases and becomes lighter in color over the next 24 hours. Keep your head elevated and avoid lying down flat so that bloody secretions are not swallowed.
If you have been given narcotic pain medicine it may make you dizzy or drowsy. It can also make you constipated, you can take an over-the-counter stool-softener or laxative to combat this side effect.
Do not resume taking blood-thinning medications until you have been cleared by your surgeon to do so.
Call your doctor with any worrisome symptoms you have such as excessive bleeding, uncontrolled pain, fever, or anything else you find concerning.
Sources:
American Rhinologic Society. Expectations of Sinus Surgery. Accessed: November 29, 2014 from http://care.american-rhinologic.org/expectations_of_sinus_surgery
Stanford School of Medicine. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Patient's Guide. Accessed: November 29, 2014 from http://med.stanford.edu/ohns/sinuscenter/resources/sinus_guide.html
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