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Sinus Surgery
For patients suffering from chronic sinus infections, nasal polyps, and related sinus and nasal conditions, sinus surgery can provide significant relief. In Conroe, TX sinus surgeon Dr. Shawn Allen is a Board-Certified ENT (Otolaryngologist) and fellowship-trained rhinologist who offers a full range of endoscopic sinus surgery procedures for residents of Montgomery County.
What is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed to improve sinus drainage and restore normal breathing while leaving no scars or changes in the patient’s appearance. To perform this surgery, an endoscope (a slender rod equipped with lenses and a camera) is employed to provide a clear view of the nasal interior. Specialized endoscopic instruments are used to remove the thin barriers separating the sinuses from the nasal cavities, while preserving the sinus lining to ensure space for adequate drainage and the application of topical medications through nasal irrigations. Endoscopic tools are also employed to remove nasal polyps and severely inflamed tissues to enhance
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Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Johns Hopkins Medicine
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airflow.
Conditions Treated With Sinus Surgery
Endoscopic sinus surgery can improve breathing and treat a range of sinus and nose conditions, including:
- Chronic sinus infections (sinusitis)
- Chronic nasal congestion
- Recurrent acute sinusitis
- Nasal Polyps
- Allergic fungal sinusitis
- Nasal obstruction
- Mucoceles in the sinuses
- Spinal fluid (CSF) leaks into the sinuses
- Sinus tumors
Before recommending sinus surgery, Dr. Allen will suggest less invasive medical treatment options. Once non-surgical options have been exhausted without sufficient effect, a sinus surgery treatment plan will be created.
Preparing for Sinus Surgery
Prior to your sinus surgery, you will attend a consultation with Dr. Allen. During this appointment, Dr. Allen will perform an examination and review your medical history and the findings of prior imaging tests such as CT scans. He will listen to your concerns, then discuss your treatment options with you. If sinus surgery is the recommendation, Dr. Allen will provide you with detailed pre-op instructions as well as clear expectations for the recovery period.
What to Expect During the Sinus Surgery Procedure
Endoscopic sinus surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed under general anesthesia. Before anesthesia is administered, Dr. Allen will meet with you to ensure that all of your questions have been answered. The procedure takes between 2 to 3 hours in most cases, though individual operating times may vary depending on the complexity of the patient’s condition.
Following sinus surgery, Dr. Allen will place dissolvable packing, which is designed to aid in healing with reduced crusting in the nose for a more comfortable recovery. Dr. Allen may also place steroid-eluting stents, which do not have a significant effect on nasal breathing and have been shown to keep sinuses more open as they heal.
Sinus Surgery Recovery
Most of Dr. Allen’s patients take one week off of work for sinus surgery recovery. It is expected that patients will feel the most uncomfortable 2 to 3 days after sinus surgery, as swelling and inflammation are a key part of the initial healing process. Nosebleeds, while mild, are most common during this time. Patients who closely adhere to Dr. Allen’s post-op instructions and use nasal saline rinses typically feel much better by day 4 to 5. While many patients feel comfortable returning to their normal activities within one week of their endoscopic sinus surgery, Dr. Allen will recommend some activity restrictions for at least 2 weeks to prevent bleeding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sinus Surgery
Do I need sinus surgery?
If you struggle with sinus symptoms that have not responded to medications and other treatments, you may be a good candidate for sinus surgery. The best way to determine whether sinus surgery is right for you is to consult with an experienced Rhinologist. For many patients who have sinusitis, sinus surgery provides lasting relief and an improved quality of life.
Is sinus surgery safe?
There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. That said, endoscopic sinus surgery has an exceptional safety profile and low complication rate. Rare complications of sinus surgery may include bleeding, anosmia (reduced ability to smell), excessive tearing of the eyes, scarring requiring revision surgery, and
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Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
Cleveland Clinic
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spinal fluid leaks.
As a highly experienced ENT and fellowship-trained Rhinologist, Dr. Allen has an excellent reputation achieving superior sinus surgery results. Before your surgery, Dr. Allen will discuss any potential risks of sinus surgery with you.
Will sinus surgery improve my sense of smell?
There are some conditions that cause anosmia (inability to smell) or hyposmia (reduced smell function) which can be improved with sinus surgery. However, cases where smell dysfunction is a result of nerve damage may not benefit from
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Does olfactory function improve after endoscopic sinus surgery?
Litvack JR, Mace J, Smith TL
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endoscopic sinus surgery.
Once Dr. Allen has properly diagnosed the source of your inability to smell, he will help you explore the best treatment options and let you know whether surgery will help.
Will sinus surgery help me breathe better?
The primary goals of sinus surgery are to improve a patient’s nasal breathing and sinus function. As an expert in his field, Dr. Allen has dedicated his career to helping patients breathe more easily, and he will recommend the proper procedure to help you find lasting relief.
Contact Dr. Shawn Allen
Dr. Shawn Allen is an experienced ENT who performs sinus surgery to help residents of Conroe, TX and Montgomery County breathe more easily and reduce their dependence on medications like steroid pills and antibiotics. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Allen, please contact us today.
1 Johns Hopkins Medicine. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. Available: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/endoscopic-sinus-surgery. Accessed November 21, 2023.
2 Cleveland Clinic. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17478-functional-endoscopic-sinus-surgery Accessed November 21, 2023.
3 Litvack JR, Mace J, Smith TL. Does olfactory function improve after endoscopic sinus surgery? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009 Mar;140(3):312-9. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2008.12.006. PMID: 19248934; PMCID: PMC2668517. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19248934/. Accessed November 21, 2023.