Pediatric Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
A Pediatric ENT / Head and Neck Surgeon (Otolaryngologist) performs pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery to open the passages of the sinuses allowing for proper drainage to the nose.
The surgeon uses an endoscope to view the inside of the nose. An endoscope is a small, flexible tube with a light and a camera lens at the end. Small incisions allow the scope to pass inside the nose, and the surgeon may create new passages or open existing ones by removing polyps, cysts, or thickened mucous membranes.
What is functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)?
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is a technique using telescopes in the nose to open the passages and promote sinus ventilation and drainage.
Sinuses are air chambers in the facial bones and skull that connect to the nasal passages. Sinusitis is an infection inside the air chambers that often causes the connections between the sinuses and nose to swell shut. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery reduces future sinus infections.
Will my child need sinus surgery?
Children with frequent sinus infections (six or more annually) and those taking antibiotics for chronic or unresponsive sinus infections can usually benefit from functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
Children who have had adenoids removed without improvement or children with cystic fibrosis, fungal sinusitis, immune deficiency, and ciliary dyskinesia, may also benefit from functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
What happens during surgery?
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is performed in a hospital setting. The patient receives general anesthesia and may be discharged within a couple of hours after the procedure. The patient is restricted to light activity for 1-2 weeks or until a follow-up visit is completed.
