Sinus Surgery in Nigeria
What is SINUS?
The sinuses are air-filled chambers surrounding the eyes and nose in the skull. They aid in the production of mucus, which traps foreign objects and keeps the nasal passages wet. An inflammation of the sinuses, known as sinusitis or sinus infection, can be extremely uncomfortable and interfere with day-to-day activities.
An infection of the mucous membrane lining your sinuses is called sinusitis. Pain, a blocked nose, discharge, a diminished sense of smell, and the sensation of mucus behind your nose or throat are some of its symptoms. Infection results when mucus accumulation blocks the sinuses, creating an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Acute (lasting a few days to weeks) and chronic (lasting more than 12 weeks) sinus infections are also possible.
Mucus, which is produced by the mucous membrane lining your sinuses, helps to maintain the cleanliness, warmth, and moisture of the air you breathe. Mucus builds up and may become infectious if the passageway between a sinus and the interior of your nose becomes obstructed.
The mucous membrane can become inflamed, causing swelling and forming extra folds in your sinuses and nose. These become little growths known as polyps, and they usually exacerbate the symptoms.
Causes of Sinusitis
Sinus infections often stem from:
1. Viral Infections: One of the most common causes of sinus infections is a viral infection, such as the common cold. Common colds or respiratory infections can lead to sinus blockage. Viruses cause inflammation in the nasal passages, leading to swelling and mucus buildup. This inflammation blocks the drainage pathways of the sinuses, creating a favourable environment for infection. The symptoms include Runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and mild facial pressure. Symptoms typically improve within 7–10 days without specific treatment.
2. Bacterial Infections: When sinus symptoms persist for more than 10 days or worsen after an initial improvement, the cause may be a bacterial infection. Prolonged mucus buildup creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. This secondary infection results in more severe inflammation and mucus production. Some of its symptoms include thick yellow or green nasal discharge, severe facial pain or pressure, especially around the eyes and forehead and Fever, fatigue, and persistent nasal congestion.
3. Allergies: Allergic reactions to substances like pollen, dust mites, mold, or pet dander can trigger sinus infections. They can cause inflammation, leading to mucus buildup. Allergens cause an immune response that leads to nasal inflammation and increased mucus production. Persistent inflammation can obstruct sinus drainage, setting the stage for infection. Symptoms of such allergies include sneezing, itchy eyes, and clear nasal discharge.
4. Structural Issues: Structural abnormalities in the nasal cavity can hinder proper sinus drainage, increasing the risk of infection. Some of the common structural issues include Nasal Polyps: Non-cancerous growths in the nasal lining that block airways, Deviated Septum: A misaligned nasal septum can restrict airflow and drainage and Narrow Sinuses: Anatomical variations may naturally predispose some individuals to sinus blockages.
Symptoms include nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, headache, thick mucus discharge, reduced sense of smell, and, sometimes, fever.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
Common symptoms include:
- Nasal Congestion and Blockage: Feeling of a blocked nose due to inflamed or swollen nasal passages.
- Thick Nasal Discharge: Yellow or green mucus discharge from the nose or down the throat (postnasal drip).
- Facial Pain and Pressure: Often felt around the forehead, eyes, cheeks, or teeth, and can worsen when bending forward.
- Reduced Sense of Smell and Taste: Difficulty in detecting smells and tasting food. This is often temporary and improves with treatment.
- Headache: Pain around the forehead, eyes, or temples, often due to pressure in the sinuses.
- Sore Throat and Cough: Caused by mucus draining down the throat, which can lead to throat irritation and coughing.
- Fatigue: Feeling tired or exhausted, especially if infection persists.
- Fever: Sometimes, a low-grade fever indicates the body is fighting an infection.
- Bad Breath (Halitosis): Often due to stagnant mucus in the nasal passages.
Diagnosis of Sinusitis
A medical professional may perform an examination and inquire about symptoms. The examination may involve examining inside the nose and touching for facial and nasal pain.
Acute sinusitis can also be diagnosed and other disorders can be ruled out using:
1. Nasal Endoscopy: A medical professional places an endoscope—a thin, flexible tube—into the patient's nose. The provider can see inside the sinuses thanks to a light on the tube.
2. Imaging studies: A CT scan can reveal information about the nasal cavity and sinuses. Simple acute sinusitis is not typically treated with it. However, imaging tests could be useful in ruling out other reasons.
3. Nasal and sinus samples: Acute sinusitis is rarely diagnosed by laboratory testing. However, tissue samples from the sinuses or nose may assist in identifying the source if the illness worsens or does not improve with treatment.
The majority of acute sinusitis cases resolve on their own. In most cases, self-care is sufficient to alleviate symptoms.
Methods to Reduce Symptoms
The symptoms of sinusitis may be lessened by the following:
1. Nasal spray with saline: The inside of the nose can be rinsed by repeatedly spraying salt water into it throughout the day.
2. Corticosteroids in the nose: These nasal sprays aid in the treatment and prevention of oedema. Examples include mometasone, beclomethasone, budesonide, and fluticasone.
3. Decongestants: Both prescription and over-the-counter versions of these medications are available. They are available as nasal sprays, pills, and liquids. Rebound congestion, a worsening of stuffiness can result when using nasal decongestants for more than a few days.
4. Medications for allergies: Using allergy medications may reduce allergy symptoms in cases of sinusitis brought on by allergens.
5. Analgesics: Try the available aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome (which is a serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children. These also act as alternatives to surgery.
6. Antibiotics: Sometimes bacterial sinusitis requires the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics and occasionally other medications may be required to treat a potential bacterial infection.
7. Immunotherapy: Allergy injections may be helpful for sinusitis brought on by or exacerbated by allergies. We call this immunotherapy.
8. Surgery: Endoscopic sinus surgery may be an option if therapy is ineffective for persistent sinusitis. In order to remove the problematic tissue, a medical professional utilizes an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a light attached, and small cutting instruments.
Why do you need a Sinus Surgery?
If medication treatment for your sinus pain and sinusitis doesn't work, you may be a candidate for sinus surgery. After diagnosing sinusitis, your primary care physician would probably administer your first course of medication. If, after three months, sinusitis does not improve with medication, it is considered chronic and should be evaluated by a specialist called an otolaryngologist. These surgeons, who are also known as ENT doctors, specialize in conditions affecting the ears, nose, and throat. In the event that your sinus problems are severe enough to warrant treatment, an ENT physician will perform sinus surgery.
Surgery could be suggested for recurring or chronic sinus infections that don't improve with conventional therapies. Surgical alternatives consist of:
1. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS): The most popular type of sinus surgery, FESS enlarges sinus passages and removes blockages using an endoscope to improve drainage and lower the risk of infection.
2. Balloon Sinuplasty: This less invasive procedure enlarges the sinus opening for better drainage by inserting and inflating a tiny balloon inside the sinuses.
3. Septoplasty: This procedure straightens the deviated septum to enhance drainage and airflow if it is obstructing the sinuses.
What steps are included in the process?
Although a general anesthetic is typically used for the procedure, a local anesthetic may also be used. Usually, the procedure takes one to two hours. Endoscopic sinus surgery is performed through your nostrils and doesn't alter the external contour of your nose or leave any facial scars.
Your nasal passages will be examined by your surgeon using an endoscope, a tiny telescope. They will expand the channels from your sinuses into your nose and remove any polyps using a few instruments.
Specific complications of this operation
As with any surgery, there could be potentially unpleasing adverse effects. But if this operation worries you, discuss it with your physician. Furthermore, it is beneficial for patients to understand the specific issues that may arise:
1. Adhesions, in which scar tissue forms deep within your nose
2. Fluid leakage from your brain
3. Damage to the orbit
4. The bone around your eye
5. Double vision; blindness
6. Toxic shock syndrome
7. A bloodstream infection
8. Tear duct damage; and
9. Diminished scent
How soon will I recover?
That same day, you ought to be able to return home. You will need to stay overnight if you have non-dissolvable packing in your nose; the packing will be taken out the following morning. For at least five to seven days, avoid blowing your nose.
Your nose will still feel blocked for a few weeks. You will be given nasal spray or drops to use by your surgeon. To reduce your risk of infection, you can be prescribed a course of antibiotics. Frequent exercise should help you get back to your regular routines as quickly as possible. Consult your physician before beginning an exercise regimen. The majority of people recover well.
Tips for the Prevention of SINUSITIS
Sinus infections can be avoided by avoiding respiratory infections, managing allergies, using a humidifier in dry environments, and maintaining good hygiene.
For those who are prone to sinus infections, consulting with an ENT specialist can help develop a personalized treatment strategy. By being aware of your symptoms and seeking care as soon as possible, you can reduce your risk of developing chronic sinusitis and hasten your recovery.
Although sinusitis is typically not dangerous, it can have unpleasant side effects. Endoscopic sinus surgery should help prevent the sinusitis from returning if medication is ineffective.
FAQs about Sinusitis in Nigeria
1. What are sinuses?
Sinuses are the air-filled spaces between, above, below and behind the eyes.
2. Why do we have sinuses?
No one is certain but some scientists believe sinuses serve to help cushion the brain from injury.
3. What is sinusitis?
The sinuses are lined with mucosa, a very thin, moist and pink lining usually less than 1mm thick. If the mucosa becomes inflamed (“itis”), the condition is called “sinusitis.”
4. What Happens if Sinusitis Isn't Treated?
You'll have pain and discomfort until it starts to clear up. In rare cases, untreated sinusitis can lead to meningitis, a brain abscess or an infection. SURJEN is well-prepared to treat the disease.
5. Can Chronic Sinusitis be cured without Surgery?
Yes, Sinusitis can be cured without surgery when it is not chronic. Severe symptoms of Sinusitis which have degenerated over time can only be cured by surgery. Such surgeries are carried out by SURJEN's Expert partners.
6. How does sinusitis heal?
Experts at SURJEN explain that sinus infections often resolve on their own with self-care strategies. These include getting plenty of rest and fluids; using nasal irrigation, steam inhalation, aromatherapy, or a warm compress; eating a healthy diet; and using OTC medications to help manage symptoms.
7. What is the incidence of sinusitis in Nigeria?
It is one of the most common diseases of the ear, nose, and throat encountered in practice worldwide, Nigeria inclusive, as it constituted about 7.92% of all cases seen over the study period. Click to find out more via WhatsApp | Phone Call | Email
8. Is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) done in Nigeria?
Yes, it is done in Nigeria and it is the most common sinus surgery. FESS uses an endoscope to remove blockages and enlarge sinus openings, allowing better drainage and reducing infection risk.
9. How much is Sinus Surgery in Nigeria?
This varies from hospital to hospital, the size, number, and location of your sinus are also taken into consideration. Click to find out more via WhatsApp | Phone Call | Email
Conclusion
Allergies, structural problems, bacterial and viral infections are some of the causes of sinus infections. To identify the underlying reason and administer the right treatment, healthcare experts SURJEN are available to give you the right diagnosis and treatment. Recurrent sinus infections can be considerably decreased by taking preventive steps, such as controlling allergies and taking care of structural issues.
References
https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/ear-nose-throat/sinus/faq
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351667
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