How is sinusitis treated?

Treatment of sinusitis may vary depending on the severity and type of the condition. Methods such as antibiotics, decongestants, nasal sprays, painkillers and nasal irrigation can be used. Surgical intervention may be considered in cases of chronic sinusitis.

What is the surgical treatment of sinusitis?

Surgical treatment is usually considered in cases of chronic sinusitis. Minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), are intended to remove blockages in the sinuses.

Will there be an incision on my face during surgical treatment for sinusitis?

No, modern surgical treatment for sinusitis is performed entirely through the nose using the endoscopic method. There will be no incision marks on your face, forehead, or anywhere else. The surgeon reaches the sinuses by inserting a thin camera and special instruments through the nostrils. The entire procedure is performed while monitoring the camera image on a screen. Open surgeries performed through the face or inside the mouth, which were previously used for surgical treatment of sinusitis, are now almost never used. As a result, recovery is much faster and patients can return to normal in a short time.

Is surgical treatment for sinusitis a painful procedure?

Surgical treatment for sinusitis is much less painful than most patients expect. Since the surgery is performed under general anesthesia, you will not feel anything during the procedure. After waking up, nasal congestion, a feeling of fullness, and mild headache may be experienced, but severe pain is rare. Most patients describe it as similar to a severe flu or cold. Painkillers given after surgical treatment for sinusitis easily manage these discomforts. The first 2-3 days are the most uncomfortable period, after which you will feel a little better each day.

When can I return to work or school after surgical treatment for sinusitis?

Most patients can return to work or school within 1 week after surgical treatment for sinusitis. It is recommended that you rest at home and avoid physical activity for the first 3-4 days. During this period, nasal congestion, slight bloody discharge, and fatigue are normal complaints. Those who work desk jobs can usually start work 5-7 days after surgical treatment for sinusitis. Those who do heavy physical work or athletes need to wait 2-3 weeks. It is important to wait at least 1-2 weeks for air travel and to get your doctor's approval.

Sinusitis - Dr. Elad Azizli

What is Sinusitis?

The air cavities located in the cheek, forehead, eye and nasal regions inside the skull, whose canal mouth parts merge with the nasal air duct are called sinuses.

Sinuses perform functions such as cleaning, moisturising and heating the air taken in through the nose and providing sound resonance. The sinuses, which are the first defence mechanism that protects vital organs and structures in the skull, such as the brain and eyes, against the impacts received, also ensure that the head is kept upright and balanced by reducing the weight of the skull.

Sinuses are divided into 4 different groups according to their location in the skull:

Maxillary Sinuses: It consists of 2 sinuses, one on each cheek. It develops in parallel with embryo development, is present at birth, reaches a significant size at the age of 3.

Ethmoid Sinuses: It consists of many air sacs around the eye, at the top of the nose. It develops in parallel with embryo development, present at birth, reaching adult levels by the age of 12.

Sphenoid Sinuses : It is located at the back of the nose, in the deep part of the skull. Formation is completed at the age of 2 and filling with air is completed at the age of 5.

Frontal Sinuses: It consists of 2 sinuses located in the forehead area. Its formation is completed at the age of 6 to 8 years and separated from the ethmoid sinus. It reaches its normal size in the next 8-10 years.

The bony surfaces of the sinuses are covered with a movable layer that secretes a mucous-like secretion (mucus). The epithelium (tissue structure) inside the sinuses is identical to the tissue structure of the nose and all sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity. Any infection in the nose causes swelling and oedema of the nose. This impairment prevents the passage of mucus produced by the sinuses and sent through the nasal cavity into the throat and oesophagus. Mucus accumulates in the sinuses and leads to increased pressure.

What Causes Sinusitis?

The nose and sinuses are structures that clean the inhaled air, that is, they store dirt, dust, viruses, bacteria and toxins and send clean air to the lungs. For this reason, viruses and bacteria that can lead to infection are always present in these areas. There is no inflammation in sinuses that can fulfil their function. However, if there is a pathological and / or environmental effect such as upper respiratory tract infection, allergic reactions, turbinate hypertrophy (nasal flesh growth), deviation (bone / cartilage curvature), obstruction of sinus canals, adenoid growth in children, sudden pressure changes during submarine diving and aircraft journeys, excessively polluted air and smoking, sinus ventilation is impaired and inflammation occurs. Inflammation of the mucosa (mucus) lining the sinus cavities by various factors is called sinusitis. They take different names according to the course and duration of inflammation:

Acute Sinusitis Sinusitis lasting less than 2 weeks

Subacute Sinusitis: Sinusitis lasting 2 weeks to 3 months

Chronic Sinusitis: Sinusitis lasting longer than 3 months.

Recurrent sinusitis: 4 or more recurrent sinusitis within 1 year.

Precautions that prevent the formation of sinusitis include not staying in cold environments for a long time, drying the hair after bathing or rain, not leaving it wet, adjusting the oxygen, humidity and temperature level of the living environment well, not inhaling cigarette smoke, avoiding being in places where dust and smoke that cause allergies are dense.

What are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?

Sinusitis symptoms vary from person to person depending on the severity of the cold or flu infection, the immune system of the individual, and whether there is a pathological problem in the nasal area. The most common symptoms:

Pain and pressure with a feeling of fullness in the part of the head and face that includes the sinus areas (increased when the head is tilted forward),
Nasal congestion, snoring,
Sore throat, impaired voice, increased cough at night,
Yellow/green thick viscous nasal and/or nasal discharge,
Bad breath, tooth and gum pain,
Odour and taste disturbance,
Malaise and mild fever,
(in children) Cough, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

In order to make the correct diagnosis, one or more of the endoscopic examination, imaging and tomography methods are used together.