What is Bilateral
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
The Bilateral Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery is mainly done for the
treatment of nasal polyps, sinusitis, bacterial and fungal infections
and chronic sinus problems.
This surgical technique is minimally invasive in which the sinus air cells
are opened for surgical process by direct visualization. The main intension
of this surgery is to restore the normal functioning of sinuses.
Bilateral
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Procedure
Initially the patient is made asleep by general anesthesia and then the
anesthetist passes a plastic tube into patient’s trachea through
the mouth for breathing process during surgery.
The surgery is mainly done only through nostrils so that there is no visible
external cut. Angled telescopes and powerful headlights are used for the
surgery. The sinus openings are enlarged by using specially designed instruments
with fine bone cutting and appropriate suction debriders. The blocking
materials like swollen polyps or mucosa is then removed carefully.
The procedure of septoplasty, which is mainly for the straightening of
central portion, is also done along with this surgery. The stitches made
for the surgery will be mostly internal and the surgery takes only less
than one hour. After the surgery, the patient’s nose will have a
sponge dressing to soak the blood and it is kept for few hours after surgery.
Risks of
Bilateral Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Even though the procedure of the sinus or nasal surgery is safe, there
are chances for the following risks or complications to occur after the
surgery:
• The worst risk found is suffering from brain damage after the surgery
which may even cause death.
• The modern drugs which are used by the anesthetists for general
anesthesia also carry risks.
• During the first few weeks after the surgery a risk of excessive
bleeding is found.
• Few patients may even need another surgery and blood transfusion
in order to control the excessive bleeding but it is very rarely seen.
• Cosmetic deformity can be seen due to the procedure of septoplasty
which is done along with this surgery.
• There is also a risk of damaging the structure surrounding, like
brain or eyes, during the surgical procedures.
• In few people, blindness can be found.
• In few patients, the leakage of Cerebral Spinal Fluid is found
around the brain. This may lead to meningitis and even death. But these
cases are very rare of less than 1: 1000
