Sinus Procedure

Many advancements have been made in sinus surgery recently to improve the results, reduce the risks and improve the patient comfort and outcomes. Dr. Lano will make every effort to reduce discomfort during and after surgery. In most sinus surgery, no nasal packing will be used, instead, a soft gel or soft absorbable felt may be placed.

Maxillary sinus (The sinus inside the cheek area of the face)

1. Balloon Sinuplasty: Using a balloon designed to enlarge the sinus opening to improve its function.
2. Nasal Antrostomy Window: Creating an improved opening in the maxillary sinus to improve function.
3. Caldwell Luc: Surgical opening of the sinus under the lip to access severe disease or tumor.

Frontal Sinus (The sinus inside the forehead/brow area)

1. Balloon Sinuplasty: Using a balloon designed to enlarge the sinus opening to improve its function
2. Frontal sinusotomy: Creating an improved opening in the frontal sinus to improve function.
3. Frontal sinus trephination: a surgical opening thru the brow area into the frontal sinus

Ethmoid sinus (The sinuses between the eyes)

1. Ethmoidectomy: Opening and /or cleaning out the sinuses between the eyes
2. External ethmoidectomy: Surgical access to the sinus by making a small incision by the nose

Sphenoid Sinus (The back most sinus)

1. Balloon Sinuplasty: Using a balloon designed to enlarge the sinus opening to improve its function.
2. Sphenoidotomy: Creating an improved opening in the sphenoid sinus to improve function.

Care of the nose after the procedure

• You will have some fatigue after the procedure so rest for about 5 days.
• Expect a small amount of bleeding for 2-3 days, use drip pad as needed.
• You can use a few puffs of afrin if there is any bleeding.
• Avoid blood thinning medications (i.e. aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen, etc.)
• You may have antibiotics or pain medications to take.
• Keep head elevated for one week, use 2-3 pillows at night.
• DO NOT BLOW NOSE; if you sneeze leave your mouth open to avoid high nasal pressure
• Don’t do activities that are strenuous, require bending or lifting, or dusty, or dirty.
• Use a nasal saline spray (ocean or ayr) in the nose 3 times daily.
• Use a bit of Neosporin ointment or Vaseline or ayr gel in the nose 3 times daily.
• Arrange a follow up appointment with our office within 5-10 days and 2-3 weeks after the procedure.
• You may have some crusting in the nose or sinuses removed at follow up (take a pain tab if you want to 30 min prior to the appointment).

Risks of the procedure:

Bleeding, infection, scarring of the sinus opening, recurrent sinus disease, anesthetic risks, need for further procedure.

Extremely rare risks:

Numbness, spinal fluid leak, eye complications, or other unforeseen problems.

Information on Balloon Sinuplasty