Dr. Shah obtained his BA/MD from Boston University and completed his Otolaryngology residency at Tufts University followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at Children's Hospital Boston at Harvard University. After fellowship, he joined the faculty of Children's National Medical Center in 2006. Dr. Shah is an active clinical researcher and has received numerous awards for his research.
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
Sinus surgery removes diseased or obstructive sinus tissue resulting in improved natural sinus drainage; post-operative care is as important as the sinus surgery.
There are many risks and complications of sinus surgery; failure to resolve infection, recurrence of the original sinus problem, bleeding,
chronic nasal drainage, failure to resolve all original sinus problems, damage to the eyes or base of the skull, pain, reduction or loss of sense of smell or taste, or the need for additional surgery and medical consultations.
Prior to surgery, the patient needs to refrain from food and drink for 8 hours, have no
fever, and arrange for someone to bring the patient to and from the hospital
On the day of surgery, the patient should have all paperwork and meet
the anesthesiologist; the patient should only take the medicication approved by the surgeon and anesthesiologist.
The surgery may take several hours.
After sinus surgery, most patients can go home accompanied by a friend or relative; bed rest with the head elevated is recommended along with an ice pack wrapped in a towel to stop any bleeding that commonly occurs.
Recovery may take about 3 to 5 days; patients should take their prescribed medications and
avoid any strenuous activities until cleared to do so by the surgeon.
Follow-up care is critical for recovery; keep all appointments and follow instructions
in regard removing nasal packing and especially instructions on nasal irrigation (many surgeons request patients to remain in the area for 3 weeks after surgery in case any problems develop).
Notify the surgeon for excessive bleeding, fever greater than 101.5 F (38.6 C) that persists even with Tylenol use, sharp pain or
headache not responsive to medications, increased swelling of nose or eyes and thin clear fluid draining from the nose.
Self-care and prevention of complications include maximizing moisture in the nose
(moisturize frequently), moisturizing sprays such as "Ocean Spray" are
useful), avoid allergens, colds and the flu (make
sure flu shots are up-to-date).
What is sinus surgery?
Sinus surgery involves the precise removal of diseased sinus tissue with improvement in the natural drainage channels by the creation of a pathway for
infected material to drain from the sinus cavities. In most situations, the
surgeon will employ endoscopic techniques which allow better and more precise
visualization without the need for external incisions. As a result, there is
less swelling, bleeding, and discomfort, and a faster recovery from sinus
surgery.
Sinus surgery, unlike other types of surgery where a diseased part or organ
is removed, involves the re-routing of existing sinus pathways in addition to
removal of diseased tissue. It cannot be emphasized more strongly that
post-operative care is as equally important as the surgery itself. One of the
most common causes of failure of this procedure is poor post-operative care and
follow-up. The doctor can only do so much. It is up to the patient to share in
the responsibility of caring for this chronic illness. The following
instructions are designed to help patients recover from sinus surgery as easily
as possible and to prevent complications. It is very important that patients
read these instructions or those provided by their surgeon and follow them
carefully.
The following information is provided to help individuals prepare for sinus
surgery and to help them understand more clearly the associated beliefs, risks,
and complications of sinus surgery. However, people are encouraged to ask their
doctor any questions to help them better understand the procedure.
Picture of the anatomy of the sinuses
Picture of the detail of the sinuses
What are the risks and complications of sinus surgery?
The following complications of sinus surgery have been reported in the
medical literature. This list is not meant to be inclusive of every possible
complication. It is here for patient information only - not to make patients
overly concerned - but to make them aware and more knowledgeable concerning
potential aspects of sinus surgery. The surgeon will review the risks and
benefits of the surgery when obtaining consent for the operation, and will be
able to discuss the chance of these complications with respect to an
individual's potential risks of surgery at that time.
Failure to resolve the sinus infections or recurrence of sinus problems
and/or polyps.
Bleeding. In very rare situations, a need for blood products or a
blood
transfusion may be required. Patients have the right, should they choose, to
have autologous (using their own stored blood) or designated donor blood
prepared in advance in case an emergency transfusion is necessary. Patients are
encouraged to consult with their doctor regarding these issues if they are
interested.
Chronic nasal drainage or excessive dryness or crusting of the nose.
Need for further and more aggressive surgery.
Need for allergy evaluation, treatments, or environmental controls. Surgery
is not a cure for or a substitute for good allergy control or treatment.
Failure to improve or resolve concurrent respiratory illness such as, but
not limited to, asthma,
bronchitis, or
cough.
Failure to resolve associated
"sinus or nasal" headaches. The exact cause
of headaches can be difficult to determine and may have many different causes
that are not sinus-related.
The patient or physician may require consultation with another specialist
such as a neurologist.
Damage to the eye and its associated structures.
Damage to the skull base with resultant
meningitis, brain abscess, or
leakage of spinal fluid.
Permanent numbness of the upper teeth, palate, or face.
Nasal obstruction due to failure to control infection or polyps.
Prolonged pain, impaired healing, and the need for hospitalization.
Failure to restore or worsening of the sense of smell or taste.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally
The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose,
Sinus headache is caused by a sinus infection or inflammation of the sinus cavities. The primary symptom of a sinus infection is pain and increasing pressure
A deviate septum is a condition in which the bone and cartilage that divide the nasal cavity of the nose in half (nasal septum) is significantly off center
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches.
Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to certain drugs that are often used during invasive procedures or surgery. Certain mutations in genes increase
"Deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) and turbinectomy facts
Deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) is surgery to correct a deformity in the nasal septum.
Turbinectomy is the surgical reduction or removal of an enlarged turbina"...
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