Treatments

The Stanford Sinus Center offers comprehensive medical and surgical care for disorders and complex problems of the nose and paranasal sinuses:

• Chronic sinusitis, nasal polyposis, nasal obstruction, and nasal tumors
  
• Computer guided and revision endoscopic sinus surgery for complicated sinus disease
  
• Interdisciplinary minimally invasive surgical approaches to the skull base, orbit, and optic nerve
  
• Research protocols exploring sinus wound healing and novel therapies for chronic sinusitis

Minimally invasive and computer-assisted surgical techniques are available for patients with refractory or complex nasal and sinus disease. In addition to videoscope diagnostic techniques, center director Peter Hwang, MD, and his colleagues use a stereotaxic surgical navigational system to improve accuracy and efficiency in the operating room. 

Advances in sinus surgery

Although most sinus-related can be treated with medicines, surgery is still sometimes required. Whenever possible, Stanford surgeons use newer, less deforming, and less painful techniques. The most common type of sinus surgery is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS). 

In FESS, your physician will use small cameras and instruments to work carefully in the nose. S/he will remove obstructing tissues, allowing the sinuses to drain more naturally. This should decrease the severity, frequency, and duration of infections. 

In some cases your surgeon may suggest surgery that includes "surgical navigation"—usually with a special type of CT or MRI scanner—in order to diminish the chance of complications and improve results.

Learn more about Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Information - American Family Physician.