Do You Need An ENT Doctor for Sinus Surgery? Sinuses are a hollow cavity in the skull and are the connected system. The largest sinus cavity is approximately an inch long. Other sinuses are smaller. Sinus lines up with pink and soft tissue called mucosa. Sinuses only contain a thin layer of mucus. Nose insides contain turbinates, which are the ridges helping with filter air and humidity. The septum is a thin wall dividing your nose. The middle meatus is a drainage pathway or small channel that connects from sinuses to nose. Experts do not know the main reason for the presence of sinuses, but some suggest that it enhances our voice or help in humidifying the air.
Here are some more details about the Sinuses:
- Ethmoid sinuses are between your eyes
- Maxillary sinuses are the largest sinus and locate inside your cheekbones.
- Sphenoid sinuses are in the bone, which is behind your nose.
- Frontal sinuses are at the bottom middle part of your forehead.
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Sinus Surgery
During sinus surgery, a surgeon opens up the passageway and clear blockage of the sinuses. If a person is suffering from an ongoing sinus infection, abnormal growth of sinus, or unusual sinus structure, this surgery is the best option. Before attempting this surgery, the doctor may try other procedures and treatments if sinus infection remains; they perform this surgery. This procedure is brief and has few complications; it can also be a bit of discomfort.
Sinus Conditions
Acute Sinusitis (Sinus Infection)
Sinus infection or sinusitis is an extreme health condition. If it affects around 31 million people in the United States of America. People spent $1billion for the OTC medications, $150 for prescription medications, and have 16 million visits to the doctor every year just for sinus infection. People with these symptoms are at higher risks of a sinus infection:
- The weak immune system in people can put them at high risk.
- Blockage due to unusual structure in the sinus or nose
- Allergies
- Asthma
Chronic Sinusitis (Chronic Rhino Sinusitis)
Chronic sinusitis or chronic rhinosinusitis is a condition that occurs in your sinus and nose when the spaces get inflame and swell. Chronic sinusitis may last for three or more than three months, and won’t go despite treatment. This makes your nose stuffy and interferes with the drainage of your mucus. This will make it difficult to breathe through the nose, and makes the area around your eyes tender or swell. Chronic sinusitis can be a cause of swelling of sinuses lining, nasal polyps, or any kind of infection. This condition can affect children and adults.
Deviated Septum
When your nasal septum, which is the cartilage and bone between the nostrils and divides, your nasal cavity becomes crooked, or off-centered, you are suffering from a deviated septum. This may cause you problems in breathing.
Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)
Allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and pollen can cause overreaction and trigger your defense system in sinuses and nose. It may lead to sneezing, mucus, nasal stuffiness, and itching.
Nasal Polyp
A nasal polyp grows from the nose and sinus lining, and is a noncancerous tumor. These polyps may occur in the left and right (both) nasal passage and block the airflow. Nasal polyps can decrease your senses of smell and make your nose stuffy. Not every growth and blockage in the nose and sinus are nasal polyps.
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Types of Sinus Surgery
A well-known surgical procedure for patients suffering from chronic sinusitis is endoscopic sinus surgery. If you are having dangerous and rare fungal infections and tumors may require external and traditional surgical approaches that involve cuts over the eyebrows or on the gum line. Surgeries for sinuses involve:
Functional Endoscopic Surgery
In this surgical procedure, an endoscope, which is a lightened tube or includes a camera, directly enters through sinuses and nose. In this method of surgery, surgeons can clean out the sinuses, remove tissues, and increase the size of sinuses opening for the drain.
Balloon Sinuplasty
A catheter is inserted, attached to an inflatable balloon into the sinus. This balloon then inflates to widen up the sinus openings.
Open Sinus Surgery
In some severe cases of chronic sinusitis, a slight cut to open up the sinus may help, or the removal of tissue which is infected can ease up the condition.
ENT Doctor for Sinus Surgery
Dr. Michael Burnett is one of the best ENT specialists in New York City. If you have any condition related to your sinuses, or believe you may need an ENT Doctor for Sinus Surgery, contact us today at 212-867-4813.
