Endoscopic sinus surgery

Endoscopic sinus surgery involves operating under telescopic control inside the nose to open the sinuses into the nose.

There are risks and complications with this procedure. They include but are not limited to the following.

General risks:

• Infection can occur, requiring antibiotics and further treatment.
• Bleeding could occur and may require a return to the operating room.
• Small areas of the lung can collapse, increasing the risk of chest infection. This may need antibiotics and physiotherapy.
• Increased risk in obese people of wound infection, chest infection, heart and lung complications, and thrombosis.
• Heart attack or stroke could occur due to the strain on the heart.
• Blood clot in the leg (DVT) causing pain and swelling. In rare cases part of the clot may break off and go to the lungs.
• Death as a result of this procedure is rare but possible.

Specific risks:

• Bleeding. This may occur either at the time of surgery or in the first few weeks after surgery. Bleeding at the time of surgery may require termination of the procedure and nasal packing. Bleeding after surgery may require packing of the nose under local anaesthesia or may require another operation to stop the bleeding. A blood transfusion may be necessary depending on the amount of blood lost
• Eye injury. This may lead to bruising or swelling around the eye. Rarely, permanent damage causing double vision or partial or complete loss of vision.
• Brain injury. CSF (brain / spinal fluid) leak, meningitis or brain abscess may occur. Further surgery to repair the CSF leak may be necessary
• Tear duct injury with tearing of the eye can occasionally occur and may be ongoing.
• Infection of the nose and sinuses. Usually temporary but may be ongoing which requires antibiotic therapy
• Altered taste and smell which may be permanent.
• Scar tissue may grow inside the nose which may need sinus drainage requiring further surgery
• Hole in the partition inside the nose. This does not usually cause any problems. Sometimes it may cause whistling, crusting or bleeding and may require further surgery to close the hole. This may cause disfigurement.
• The disease may not be cured or may comeback. This may need further medical or surgical treatment.