What is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESC) is the most preferred treatment method for chronic sinus inflammations, sinus tumors, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, eye socket injuries, lacrimal bladder emptying surgeries, and pituitary gland tumors. Since endoscopic sinus surgery is a closed method, it provides comfort and confidence during surgery and allows faster recovery in the postoperative period. The use of high technologies such as endoscopic neurosurgery is extremely beneficial because the areas where the sinuses are located are narrow, anatomically complex, and adjacent to important structures such as the brain, optic nerves, visual canals and carotid artery. On the other hand, it is also very important that the surgeon performing the surgery is experienced.
General anesthesia is preferred in endoscopic sinus surgery. Rarely, it can be performed with local anesthesia. Surgery duration varies depending on the procedure and whether additional interventions will be performed. Along with sinus surgery, it may be necessary to correct cartilage curvature, perform rhinoplasty, and reduce the size of the nasal concha. These procedures increase the duration of surgery. The time it takes to intervene in just one sinus is 15 minutes. With additional interventions, this period may exceed 2 hours.
In surgical intervention, the aim is to remove diseased tissues and provide ventilation and drainage of the sinuses. In this direction, diseased tissues are removed by entering the nose under the vision of the endoscope and with the help of other instruments. Pretend the inside of the nose is a canal. Think of the sinuses as chambers opening into this canal, located one above the other and one below the other, from front to back. Diseased tissues and chronic infections close these chambers, preventing them from functioning. In order for it to work again, it is necessary to clean the front of the rooms.
Meanwhile, the nasal turbinates and septum deviation (curvature of the middle part of the nose) may also block the canals. Nasal concha can be reduced with radiofrequency, and deviation can be corrected with surgery without tampons.
After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Since it is minimal surgery, the post-operative period is quite comfortable. There is no serious pain complaint, it can be easily kept under control with simple painkillers. The patient can be discharged on the same day or the next day. It is recommended to continue antibiotic treatment for 10 days. Using salt water-containing sprays that moisturize the nose will relieve the patient. Although it varies depending on the size of the surgery, a total of 3-4 checks are made after the surgery, at intervals of 7-10 days, and the dressing process is also performed during these checks.
