Sinus surgery treats blocked sinuses that cause, and are caused by, sinus infections/inflammation.
Sinus surgery opens the drainage pathways of the sinuses and clears obstructions to improve airflow and drainage of the sinuses.
This frequently performed procedure uses miniature, high-definition cameras and specialised instruments inserted through the nostrils which leave no scarring, external swelling or bruising.
It is not a painful procedure. The majority of patients only have mild discomfort and congestion for a short time afterward. Patients can typically go home the day after the procedure or the same day in some instances.
Sinus surgery is a helpful option for people with chronic sinus congestion, nasal polyps, recurrent sinus infections or an abnormal growth within the nose or sinuses.
Successful sinus surgery can offer patients relief from their sinus congestion and pain, nasal drip and even improve their sense of smell.
In the majority of patients these improvements can be maintained lifelong with ongoing medical therapy. In a small percentage of patients, especially those with severe nasal polyps, inflammation, and a history of asthma, revision surgery may be required at some stage in the future if their symptoms recur.
“Patients come to me and describe living with the nightmare of constant sinus discomfort and pain that prevents them living their lives to the fullest. I get immense satisfaction from operating on these patients and being able to give them the quality of life they have missed out on for years.”
MBChB, MSc, MRCSI, DOHNS, FRCSI (ORL-HNS), FRACS (ORL-HNS)
Sinus surgery opens the pathways of the sinuses and clears blockages to improve sinus drainage and ventilation.
Dr Chris Oosthuizen performs ‘functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)’ for patients at the Mater Private Hospital Springfield and St Andrew’s Private Hospital Ipswich.
This frequently performed procedure is carried out through the nostrils and leaves no scaring and typically only mild discomfort for a short time.
Sinus surgery is a helpful option for people with chronic sinus infection and inflammation, recurrent sinus infections or an abnormal growth in the nose or sinuses.
By removing the inflamed tissue within the sinuses and widening the natural openings of the sinuses, improved drainage and ventilation of the sinuses is achieved. Sinus surgery also provides increased access for nasal washes and sprays following surgery, which helps to control sinus inflammation.
Successful sinus surgery followed by ongoing medical management can help patients live congestion and pain free and frequently results in a significant improvement in their sense of smell.
The cost of sinus surgery is different for each individual, depending on the complexity and extent of the surgery.
Costs will include specific fees for Dr Chris Oosthuizen, the anaesthetist and the hospital.
Sinus surgery is medically necessary surgery, and commonly covered in part by Medicare and private health insurance funds.
Form & Function Rhinoplasty and Sinus Surgery set our rates competitively to other specialist surgeons and we adhere to the guidance from the Australian Medical Association.
With us you will know exactly what you will pay, with no hidden costs or changes to consultation or surgery fees.
Please contact our office if you have an enquiry regarding fees.
Sinus surgery is performed to open narrow or damaged sinus passages and allow natural drainage and ventilation of the affected sinuses. It also allows for far more effective use of medical treatments (sinus washes and sprays) afterward.
The sinuses are connected to the nose internally. Sinus surgery is performed by using miniature, high definition, cameras and fine instruments that are passed through the nostrils to give Dr Chris Oosthuizen an inside view of the nose and sinuses. Dr Chris Oosthuizen then uses these instruments to remove inflamed and infected tissues and widen the natural openings of the sinuses, improving sinus health.
There are no incisions made on the outside of the face and this type of surgery does not result in any swelling or bruising of the face.
Most sinus surgery patients spend the first night after surgery in hospital and are able to go home early the following morning.
In certain instances, surgery can be considered as a day case procedure, depending on the extent of surgery and whether you have any other medical conditions. Up to two week’s rest right after returning home from surgery is recommended. A patient’s nose and the front of the face can be a bit tender for a few weeks.
All operations carry some element of risk in the form of possible side effects. These are the potential risks that you must know about before giving consent to Sinus Surgery, however many of these potential complications are very uncommon.
You should always discuss with your surgeon about the likelihood of problems in your case before you decide to go ahead with the operation.
Bleeding
Bleeding is a risk of any operation. It is very common for small amounts of bleeding to come from the nose in the days following the operation. Major bleeding is extremely uncommon and it is very rare for a transfusion to be required.
Eye Problems
The sinuses are very close to the wall of the eye socket. Sometimes minor bleeding can occur into the eye socket and this is usually noticed as some bruising around the eye. This usually gets better without any special treatment, although it is important that you do not blow your nose.
More serious bleeding into the eye socket sometimes can occur, however this is very rare. This can cause severe swelling of the eye and can even cause double vision or in very rare cases loss of sight. If such a serious eye complication did occur you would be seen by an eye specialist and may require further operations.
Spinal Fluid Leak
The sinuses are very close to the bone at the base of the brain. All sinus operations carry a small risk of damage to this thin bone with leakage of fluid from around the brain into the nose, or other related injuries. If this rare complication does happen you will have to stay in hospital longer and may require another operation to stop the leak. On very rare occasions infection has spread from the sinuses into the spinal fluid causing meningitis but this is extremely uncommon.
You can discuss this complication with your surgeon before the operation.
How often do complications happen?In general, complications are very rare. In a survey of all ENT surgeons who do this type of operation in England, minor eye complications happened in one in every five hundred operations and spinal fluid leaks happened in onecase in every thousand operations, so the risks are small.
(07) 3202 4636