FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery)

Chronic sinusitis, which occurs when the sinuses become inflamed for various reasons and the air ducts narrow, needs to be treated with surgery.

What is sinusitis?

Sinuses are the name given to the air spaces covered with respiratory tract cells located inside the skull, around the eyes, cheeks, and nose. The task of these air cavities is to humidify the air, heat it, secrete mucus, filter the air and prevent the reproduction of bacteria. The condition of inflammation of the respiratory tract cells, where the sinuses are lined, is called Sinusitis.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

Sinusitis causes nasal congestion, pain around the forehead and eyes, sleeping with the mouth open, and discomforts such as snoring, fatigue, and weakness. The quality of a person’s life is also seriously negatively affected due to these symptoms. It is not necessary to be late for sinusitis treatment, as there may be problems with lung disorders in the later stages.

What causes sinusitis?

Many personal and environmental causes cause inflammation of the sinuses. The two leading factors are upper respiratory tract infections and mucous membrane edema that develops due to allergies and causes congestion. Other than these two factors, the reasons that can cause;

·         Infections of the upper respiratory tract

·         Allergies

·         Curvature of the nasal bone (Deviation)

·         Polyps,

·         Nasal flesh growths

·         Adenoids

·         Congenital anomalies of the nose

·         Dental infections

·         Smoking and cigarette smoke,

·         Activities that cause pressure changes

What is Fess?     

Fess stands for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. In other words, it is the name given to sinusitis surgery. As chronic sinusitis, which cannot be solved with medical treatments, is often experienced, it is inevitable to eliminate the problem by surgery. Before surgery, computed tomography (CT of the Paranasal Sinus) is taken to evaluateof the sinuses.

How is Fess performed?

Fess surgery takes about 1-1.5 hours. The operation is performed with general anaesthesia, after which there are no traces left on the face. With the endoscopic method, tissues that cause inflammation of the sinuses, polyps, and cysts are cleaned by entering through the nose and narrowed sinus channels are opened. By opening the sinus pathways, the accumulations that will form inside the sinuses will be blocked, and the secretions can be expelled through the nose.

After Fess?

After Fess, what kind of tampon will be used may vary depending on the doctor’s decision and the procedures performed. A self-melting tampon is usually used on the nose. While Fess surgery is performed, deviation surgery, which means bone curvature in the nose, can also be performed. After sinusitis surgery is performed with deviation, a tampon can be placed in the nose to be removed by the doctor after 24 hours. After surgery, patients are discharged after a night in the hospital. After surgery, attention should be paid to doctor’s checks and proper cleaning of the inside of the nose.

 A full recovery of the inside of the nose after Fess can take 4-6 weeks. Patients can return to their everyday lives within 3-5 days, although it may differ depending on the person.