Sinus Surgery

Sinus surgery is a minimally invasive procedure performed to treat sinus conditions that do not respond well to other treatments. The surgery may involve removing infected sinus tissue, mucus, or polyps.

At Kimball Health Services, sinus conditions like chronic sinusitis and infections are typically treated with sinus medications. Our board-certified ENT surgeon, Dr. William O. Dickey, recommends surgery when the traditional approach is not effective in bringing relief.

Our focus is on providing safe and comfortable surgical procedures after a thorough examination of your symptoms. These procedures can help you recover fast and with lower risk than traditional methods.

Types of Sinus Surgery

Sinus surgery is performed using a minimally invasive method to remove infected sinus tissue or polyps. The goals of surgery include:

Reducing the severity of sinus infections
Improving symptoms of sinusitis
Improving the drainage of the sinuses
Improving airflow through the nose
Improving the sense of smell

Depending on your condition, there are a few different types of sinus surgery procedures to choose from.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Endoscopic sinus surgery uses an endoscope — a thin tube with a camera and light at the end - to remove blockages and treat sinus conditions. It widens the drainage passages between your nose and sinuses and removes infected tissue, so mucus trapped in it can get out.

Endoscopic sinus surgery is the most common type of sinus surgery.

Balloon Sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive treatment using an endoscope and catheter to guide a small balloon into your nose. The balloon is inflated repeatedly to increase the passageway to your sinuses.

Preparing for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Dr. Dickey performs a preoperative physical exam and may order lab tests. Once he determines the surgical procedure, he instructs you not to eat or drink after midnight before the endoscopic sinus surgery. Other preparations may include:

Prescription medications to help reduce inflammation. These are typically taken both before and after surgery.
Smoking cessation three to four weeks before surgery and for at least one month after surgery.
Stopping certain medications and supplements, such as aspirin, NSAIDs, and other anticoagulant medicines.
Nasal sprays to irrigate the sinus passages.
Arrange a ride to and from your procedure.

What to Expect with Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

An endoscopic sinus surgery is usually performed using general anesthesia. During the surgery, Dr. Dickey inserts an endoscope into one of your nostrils and uses it to magnify and visualize the sinus tissues.

Once he locates the affected area, he opens the sinuses by carefully removing causes of sinus blockage, such as mucous, nasal polyps, and scar tissue.

If a deviated septum is causing breathing problems, Dr. Dickey may use specialized instruments to straighten the septum and reduce the size of the bony structures inside the sinuses.

Endoscopic sinus surgery typically does not require nasal packing that needs to be removed. After the procedure, you will be taken to a recovery room until the effects of anesthesia wear off. Typically, you may go home a few hours after the procedure.

Recovery

You may need several follow-up visits after the surgery to monitor the healing process. During these visits, our team cleans your nose and sinuses of fluid and blood left behind after your procedure.

You may consider the following steps to help your recovery:

Placing gauze under your nose to catch drainage
Sleeping with your head elevated
Drinking plenty of fluids
Taking pain medications after consulting the doctor

Postoperative Care

Dr. Dickey provides detailed post-operative instructions to relieve discomfort and clear your sinuses after the surgery. He may make the following suggestions to ease your discomfort.

Nasal saline spray: He may advise you to use an over-the-counter nasal saline spray every two to three hours after surgery.

What to avoid after endoscopic sinus surgery:

Nose-blowing, heavy lifting and straining
Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medications
Steroid nasal sprays

Sinus Surgery at Kimball Health Services

At Kimball Health Services, we offer advanced sinus surgery after a thorough evaluation of your condition. Our team ensures you feel comfortable throughout the surgery and receive quality aftercare.

As one of the top critical access hospitals in the nation, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

In case of an emergency, call 911 or walk into our emergency department anytime. For appointments, call us at 308-235-1966 or request an appointment online. We're here for you whenever you need us.