Who Needs Sinus Surgery?

Your sinuses may be small, but they can cause plenty of misery. Each year, approximately 29 million American adults have sinus infections that develop when these air-filled pockets become inflamed and filled with fluid. But infections aren’t the only problem that can lead to blockages and sinus discomfort.

Dr. Vandana Kumra treats nasal and sinus issues at ENT New York in New York City. While Dr. Kumra can relieve numerous ear, nose, and throat issues without the need for surgery; although sometimes, minimally invasive procedures can provide more effective results. 

If you have sinus issues, here’s when surgery could help.

The anatomy of a problem

Generally speaking, most individuals have four pairs of sinus cavities, or a total of eight sinuses, including the:

• Frontal sinuses: above the eyes in the forehead
• Sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses: behind your nose between your eyes
• Maxillary sinuses: under your eyes, behind your cheeks

The sinuses may be individual chambers, but they’re all connected by narrow channels. When the sinuses function properly, they make mucus that drains through these passages, keeping your nose clean and free of bacteria.

However, when the sinuses are blocked, fluid gets trapped, leading to excess mucus, pain, swelling, and congestion.

Causes of sinus issues

As you might imagine, several factors can interfere with drainage in your sinuses. These can vary from the common cold and allergies to structural problems and abnormal growths. 

In many cases, medication and noninvasive treatments can address issues like infections or allergies. But some situations require surgery to restore normal nose function, especially when they interfere with your sense of smell and ability to breathe or trigger chronic issues, such as sinus headaches.

Common causes of sinus issues that benefit from surgery include:

• Chronic infections
• Deviated septums
• Large cysts or polyps
• Tumors
• Obstructed tear ducts
• Cerebrospinal fluid leakage
• Structural problems, like over-large turbinates or narrow nasal passages

Dr. Kumra only turns to minimally invasive surgical techniques after conservative therapies haven’t offered results.

What to expect from sinus surgery

Between 250,000-300,000 sinus surgeries occur each year, and the good news is that most use minimally invasive techniques that avoid large incisions. Dr. Kumra can often surgically correct sinus issues through your nostrils, which comes with less discomfort and faster recovery times.

The appropriate type of sinus surgery varies depending on your sinus problem. However, most procedures involve local or general anesthesia, take 1-3 hours, and you can usually go home the same day.

After having sinus surgery, you can usually resume normal activity within a few days, but Dr. Kumra provides detailed instructions based on your procedure. 

Do you have chronic sinus problems? Schedule a consultation with Vandana Kumra, MD, in New York City to learn more about your treatment options today.