Endoscopic sinus surgery, sometimes called functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a minimally invasive procedure to treat problems in the sinuses.
What You Need to Know
- Endoscopic sinus surgery is an outpatient procedure performed while the patient is asleep under general anesthesia.
- Endoscopic surgery may be used to remove nasal polyps and tumors, treat chronic sinus infections, and address other types of sinus problems.
- The doctor uses a device called an endoscope, along with other tools, to access and treat the problem area through the nostrils.
- Minor bleeding, pain, congestion, discharge and fatigue are common after the surgery, but should go away in one to three weeks.
What is endoscopic sinus surgery?
Endoscopic sinus surgery is a procedure to remove blockages and treat other problems in the sinuses using an endoscope — a thin, rigid tube with a camera and a light. This type of surgery does not include cutting the skin because it is performed entirely through the nostrils.