Surgery: What to Expect – Ethmoidectomy

An ENT physician (otolaryngologist) specialises in conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. This is the medical professional who performs an ethmoidectomy. You and your ENT physician will decide if an ethmoidectomy is the best surgical treatment for your chronic sinus infection.

Before Surgery

An ethmoidectomy is outpatient or day surgery, which means you can usually go home the same day as your procedure. Make sure you have a friend or family member who can drive you home after surgery.

You'll meet with your healthcare team before the operation, and they'll answer any questions you may have. The anaesthetist will ask about your medical history and develop an anaesthesia plan. He or she will discuss the plan with you and answer your questions.

During Surgery

This procedure is usually done under general anaesthesia. It can last from 1 to 3 hours, depending on your particular condition. During surgery, your ENT surgeon passes a narrow tube called an endoscope into your nose. This tube has a tiny camera and a light at the end of it, so the surgeon can view your ethmoid sinuses.

Small surgical instruments are then passed to the site of the problem through another thin tube. With these instruments, your surgeon opens the ethmoid sinus cavity to improve drainage into the nasal airway.

After Surgery

Immediately after surgery, you'll be in a recovery room and monitored for about an hour or so. This is to make sure there are no complications. If you're doing well, you can usually leave the hospital the same day.

Before you leave the hospital, you'll get important instructions on how to care for your nose and sinuses while they heal, and when to return for a follow-up visit. Your doctor may also give you several prescriptions, including one for pain medication.

If you have any questions or concerns before and after your ethmoidectomy, be sure to discuss these with your doctor.

Next: What to Expect: Maxillary Antrostomy

Surgery: What to Expect – Maxillary Antrostomy

An ENT surgeon (otolaryngologist) specialises in conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. This is the medical professional who performs a maxillary antrostomy. You and your doctor will decide if this procedure is the best surgical treatment for your chronic sinus infection.

Before Surgery

A maxillary antrostomy is outpatient or day surgery, which means you can usually go home the same day as your procedure. Make sure you have a friend or family member who can drive you home after surgery.

You'll meet with your healthcare team before the operation, and they'll answer any questions you may have. The anaesthetist will ask about your medical history and develop an anaesthesia plan. He or she will discuss the plan with you and answer your questions.

During Surgery

A maxillary antrostomy is usually done under general anaesthesia. It typically lasts from 1 to 3 hours, depending on your condition.

During surgery, the ENT surgeon passes a narrow tube called an endoscope into your nose. This tube has a tiny camera and a light at the end of it, so the surgeon can view your maxillary sinus, the opening to the maxillary sinus, and the area of the nose where it drains (the osteomeatal complex). Then small surgical instruments are passed to the site of the problem through another thin tube.

Using these instruments, your ENT doctor removes the blockage in your maxillary sinuses. This helps the fluid in your maxillary sinuses drain more efficiently and should reduce your chances of getting sinus infections in the future.

After Surgery

Immediately after surgery, you'll be in a recovery room and monitored for about an hour or so. This is to make sure there are no complications. If you're doing well, you can usually leave the hospital the same day.

Before you leave the hospital, you'll get important instructions on how to care for your nose and sinuses while they heal, and when to return for a follow-up visit. Your doctor may also give you several prescriptions, including one for pain medication.

If you have any questions or concerns before and after surgery, be sure to discuss these with your doctor.

Next: What to Expect: Powered Septoplasty

Surgery: What to Expect – Powered Septoplasty With Turbinoplasty

An ENT surgeon (otolaryngologist) specialises in conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. This is the medical professional who performs a powered septoplasty with turbinoplasty. You and your doctor will decide if this procedure is the best surgical treatment for your condition.

Before Surgery

A powered septoplasty with turbinoplasty is outpatient or day surgery, which means you can usually go home the same day as your procedure. Make sure you have a friend or family member who can drive you home after surgery.

You’ll meet with your healthcare team before the operation, and they’ll answer any questions you may have. The anaesthetist will ask about your medical history and develop an anaesthesia plan. He or she will discuss the plan with you and answer your questions.

During Surgery

This procedure is generally done under general anaesthesia. It typically lasts from 1 to 3 hours, depending on your condition. During surgery, your ENT surgeon passes a narrow tube called an endoscope into your nose. This tube has a tiny camera and a light at the end of it, so the surgeon can view your septum and turbinates. Small surgical instruments are passed to the site of the problem through another thin tube.

With these instruments, your surgeon corrects the deviation in your septum and reduces the enlarged turbinates. This procedure removes the blockage in your nose to help you breathe more freely and improve drainage.

After Surgery

Immediately after surgery, you’ll be in a recovery room and monitored for about an hour or so. This is to make sure there are no complications. If you’re doing well, you can usually leave the hospital the same day.

Before you leave the hospital, you’ll get important instructions on how to care for your nose while it’s healing, and when to return for a follow-up visit. Your doctor may also give you several prescriptions, including one for pain medication

If you have any questions or concerns before and after surgery, be sure to discuss these with your doctor.

Next: Life After Sinus Surgery