We offer premier nasal and sinus surgical treatment options for conditions that either require surgery or aren’t responding to other medical or procedural treatment plans. Most of these can be managed or cured using nonsurgical treatments.
In some cases, though, our physicians may recommend surgical solutions. Whether or not you’ll require surgery depends entirely on your individual health and personal needs. Some examples of conditions that may require nasal or sinus surgery include:
- Nasal blockage.
- Chronic sinusitis.
- Deviated septum.
- Sinus or nasal trauma.
- Nose bleeds.
- Nasal polyps.
- Enlarged turbinates.
- Chronic stuffiness.
- Chronic breathing issues.
What Nasal & Sinus Surgery Options Are Available?
Depending on your condition, insurance, lifestyle and symptoms, your ENT physician may recommend one or more surgical treatment options. Some of the most common procedures we perform in-house or at our outpatient surgery center include:
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is used to improve nasal drainage and open up the nasal passageways. To perform this outpatient procedure, your doctor uses an endoscope (a small probe with a camera on the end) to enter your sinuses and remove problematic tissues and diseased sinus mucosa.
- Image guided surgery is another endoscopic surgery option for severe forms of chronic sinusitis or nasal blockage that can’t be treated using normal sinus surgery methods. It relies on a three-dimensional mapping system created from CT scans for extreme precision.
- Balloon Sinuplasty uses a small balloon catheter inserted into the sinuses then inflated to open up the nasal passageways. Once the sinuses reach the desired width, the balloon is deflated and removed, leaving more space in the passageway.
- Caldwell Luc operation improves drainage in the maxillary sinus by creating a window from this cavity to the nose. The surgeon enters the maxillary cavity endoscopically through the upper jaw above the molars.
- Septoplasty and septorhinoplasty procedures reshape, reduce or reposition portions of the septum’s bone or cartilage to open up the nasal passageway and improve drainage and breathing. These procedures are used to reduce blockage, fix a deviated septum, repair a broken nose and more.
- Turbinate surgery reduces airway obstruction and difficulties breathing caused by enlarged or swollen turbinates, which are small bones that clean and humidify air as it passes through your nose. There are several types of turbinate surgery, including the turbinectomy (full or partial tissue removal), the turbinoplasty (tissue repositioning), radiofrequency or laser ablation surgery (tissue reduction) and submucous resection surgery (partial bone or cartilage removal).
Propel Sinus Implant
Medications may provide temporary relief, but their effectiveness over the long term is not very impressive, prompting many patients to turn to surgery that involves enlarging the sinus cavities responsible for drainage. While sinus surgery is effective at relieving symptoms, a large number of patients contend with recurrent sinus infections within a year. At that point they may opt for follow-up surgery, and the process often repeats itself.
How Does Propel Work?
The Propel steroid-releasing implant is an alternative treatment for patients experiencing chronic sinus infections. It is the first (and only) product on the market that targets the inflamed sinus tissues directly, opening them up for improved drainage and a reduction in symptoms.
The implant, inserted during an endoscopic sinus procedure, resembles a spring and delivers a measured dose of mometasone furoate, an anti-inflammatory steroid that gradually dissolves. It is completely absorbed by the body four to six weeks after implantation.
Approved by the FDA in 2013, Propel is safe and effective and carries fewer risks of post-surgical scarring or inflammation. Patients typically have a smaller chance of requiring follow-up surgery.
If you are bothered by chronic sinusitis and are looking for a long-term solution, schedule an appointment with one of our physicians to learn if Propel is a viable option for you.
Call Southern Utah Ear, Nose & Throat at (435) 628-3334 for more information or to schedule an appointment.