Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery or “FESS” is a minimally invasive surgery where sinus air cells and sinus ostia are opened to restore ventilation and normal function. If you have recurrent infective sinusitis, or standard medical treatment has failed you, this may be the procedure for you. It can be performed under general or local anesthesia as an outpatient surgery and requires a minimal amount of inconvenience and discomfort, especially in comparison with the more conventional sinus surgery which is much more invasive and has many more complications.
This procedure requires no incisions but utilizes long thin rods of glass wrapped with stainless steel that provide illumination and visualization in the nose and sinus pathways. Certain instruments have been designed specifically for FESS and are used alongside the telescopes to perform the operation. The purpose of the operation is to enlarge the drainage pathways of the sinuses thereby preventing the buildup of mucus and pus in the sinuses so common in chronic sinusitis.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, or have chronic sinusitis, you can find relief in receiving this surgery. While it creates relief, if you have an advancing disease you may need additional procedures in the future.