Nasal and Sinus Endoscopic Surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to treat various conditions affecting the nasal cavity and sinuses like sinusitis, nasal polyps, deviated septum, and other issues that cause discomfort or difficulty breathing.

What Are the Sinuses?

The paranasal sinuses (commonly referred to as sinus) are complex air cell pockets under the cheek (maxillary), under the forehead (frontal), between the eyes (ethmoid) and at the back of the nose (sphenoid).

All the sinuses have a very small opening, usually 2 mm, which can be easily blocked, even after a few days of viral infection of the sinus lining. If left untreated, it results in a longer-term problem of chronic sinusitis.

How Are Sinus Conditions Treated?

The treatment for sinus is to unblock the sinus, whether by medicine or surgery. Due to the complexity of the anatomy of the sinuses, it is unfortunately common to learn about the recurrence of sinus blockage and this recurrent infection.

Repeated infections usually mean there is a sinus cell that is blocked and thus infected.

When patients have an infection after medicine and sinus surgery, it is usually necessary to repeat the sinus scan with an image-guided surgical option.

There are other sinus-related conditions such as inverting papilloma, nasal wall tumours, recurrent polyps and epiphora (excessive tearing). These conditions are often only treatable by either open or endoscopic nasal surgery.

Endoscopic nasal and sinus surgery is an approach for treating the above-mentioned diseases. For the safety of surgery, computer image-guided surgery (IGS) with specialised endoscopic equipment is now the standard practice. Although these add costs, they provide for a much safer environment.

What Is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?

Endoscopic sinus surgery is a minimally invasive procedure primarily used to alleviate blockages in the sinuses, which can cause various symptoms such as pain, drainage issues, infections, impaired breathing, and even loss of smell. The surgery uses an endoscope, a flexible tube with a light and camera that allows surgeons to view and operate within the nasal cavity and sinuses without making large incisions.

The procedure, also known as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), aims to restore normal function and ventilation to the sinuses by unblocking sinus openings. This surgery is performed through the nostrils, eliminating the need for an external incision.

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When Should You Consult a Sinus Specialist?

Understanding when to seek a sinus doctor in Singapore is key to managing your sinus health effectively. Here’s when you should consider seeing one:

Persistent Symptoms – If you have symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, loss of smell and taste, headache, or drainage of thick yellow or green mucus for more than 10 to 14 days, you should consider seeing a specialist.
Frequent Sinus Infections – Experiencing four or more sinus infections a year despite treatment warrants a deeper evaluation for chronic sinusitis. A sinus specialist can provide a comprehensive evaluation and discuss suitable treatment options.
Symptoms Not Responding to Treatment – If your symptoms do not improve after taking prescribed medications or over-the-counter treatments, it might indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires specialist care.
Complications from Sinusitis – Complications such as vision problems, skin infection over the cheek (cellulitis), or severe headaches could indicate a more serious infection that needs immediate medical attention.
Nasal Polyps or Tumours – If you have been diagnosed with nasal polyps or tumours, a sinus specialist can guide you through the treatment options, which may include surgery.
Consideration for Sinus Surgery – If your doctor has suggested sinus surgery as a treatment option, a consultation with a sinus specialist can help you understand the procedure, its benefits, risks, and the best course of action.