Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a minimally invasive procedure used to visualise, diagnose and treat sinus problems. An ENT specialist will gently insert a small instrument, called an endoscope, into the nose to examine the area to be operated on, then use specialised tools to restore drainage and ventilation between nose and sinuses.

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is the most advanced method in the treatment of sinusitis that overcomes the obstacles and has good patient compliance. Sinuses are air containing cavity in the bone of face and head that lighten the skull weight, helps in resonance in sound production; also have some protective action against body defense by secretion. When these sinuses are infected due to bacteria, virus, fungus, people experience headache, lethargy, loss of interest, running nose, pain in the face, nasal obstruction and occasional bleeding from nose etc.

90 percent sinusitis is due to bacterial infections and 10 percent may be due to infections spreading from upper gum or dental origin by anaerobic organisms.

Surgery of sinus ensures normal functioning of the sinus by removal of the obstruction and opening or enlarging of the sinus so that infection does not stay put. The surgery, done with the help of endoscopes, is called FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery). To know the precise extent of the disease, a CT scan of the sinus is a must.

Endoscopic sinus surgery is also used to remove many nasal and sinus tumors, approach skull base lesions and to operate upon nasolacrimal system of eye. Endoscopic sinus surgery has revolutionised the treatment of nose and sinus diseases.