Sinus surgery can put an end to chronic sinus pain, congestion, headaches and other symptoms. The surgery is usually recommended if symptoms are severe or medication no longer helps. Your San Antonio, TX, ENT, Dr. Christine Gilliam, offers several types of sinus surgery at Everyone's ENT & Sinus Center.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery is used to remove blockages, scar tissue, growths, and polyps; improve drainage; ease breathing; treat infections; and correct deviated septums and other structural problems.

Your San Antonio ENT inserts a thin, lighted endoscope into your nasal passages. A tiny camera attached to the end of endoscope sends images to a digital monitor, giving your doctor a clear picture of your sinuses. She'll consult the monitor as she performs surgery using tiny instruments inserted through your nostrils.

Image-guided surgery

Image-guided surgery improves the precision of your procedure with computed tomography (CT) scans and infrared signals that provide more detailed information about the anatomy of your sinuses.

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This type of surgery can improve sinus drainage in the maxillary sinus, located under the eye. During the surgery, your doctor makes an incision above your second molar and creates a new drainage opening in the sinus cavity.

Balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty offers an alternative to sinus surgery. Your doctor inserts a catheter that contains a small balloon into your sinuses. Once the catheter is in place, the balloon is inflated. Inflating the balloon expands the walls of the sinuses and reduces congestion.

After the balloon is deflated, excess mucus is removed with a stream of saline solution. A shorter recovery period and less post-procedure pain are benefits of balloon sinuplasty.

Who benefits from sinus surgery?

Your ENT may recommend sinus surgery if you have:

• Chronic sinusitis
• Three to four sinus infections per year
• Pain and inflammation that lasts longer than 45 days
• An obstruction in your nasal passages, such as a polyp, deviated septum, growth, cyst, or bone spur
• An infection that's spread to your facial bones or skull

Are you tired of living with chronic sinusitis? Sinus surgery may ease your painful symptoms. Call your San Antonio, TX, ENT, Dr. Christine Gilliam, at (210) 647-3838 to schedule an appointment.