All You Need to Know About Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

FESS, or Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, is a minimally invasive procedure recommended to help address sinus obstruction and improve normal sinus function. This sinus operation utilises an endoscope, allowing surgeons to visualise and operate within the nasal and sinus cavities without external incisions (Fig 1a & b).

Fig 1b – How FESS is performed

When (or Why) do I need FESS?

Your ENT specialist may recommend FESS if you have:

1. Rhinosinusitis (infection of the sinuses) that has not responded to medical management
2. Recurrent rhinosinusitis
3. Complications from rhinosinusitis
4. Nasal polyps (benign inflammatory outgrowths from the lining of the nose or sinuses)
5. Mucoceles (bag of mucous in the sinuses that may expand and erode surrounding structures)

What is the difference between ESS and FESS?

ESS, or Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, is a broader term that covers any endoscopic surgery of the nose and sinuses, including FESS. FESS specifically focuses on improving sinus function, while ESS may not be functional (e.g. preservation of mucosa) and involve other procedures like resection of the sinonasal tumour, resection of the skull base or brain tumour through the nose and sinuses, surgery of the eye through the nose and sinuses and surgery on the nasal septum.

How is FESS done?

FESS is performed when the patient is completely asleep (under general anaesthesia). The surgeon uses an endoscope, which is a special lighted tube, to access and operate within the nasal and sinus cavities. There will be no external cuts on the face. During sinus surgery, blocked sinuses are opened with cutting instruments to facilitate mucous drainage from the sinuses. Quite often, a septoplasty (procedure to straighten the septum (the bony-cartilaginous partition between the left and right nasal cavities)) may also be performed to allow access to the sinus cavities.

What are the possible risks and complications from FESS (sinus operation)?

FESS in general is a safe procedure. As with all surgeries, there are some risks involved. The sinuses are close to the eyes and brain. Hence, injuries to these areas can theoretically occur during sinus surgery (but is rare). The risks of FESS can be categorised as major and minor complications:

Major complications (<1% risk) include:

• Brain injury resulting in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. This is a rare complication in which brain fluid leaks into the nasal cavity and may result in a brain infection (resulting in headache, neck stiffness, fever and sensitivity to light). Most CSF leaks caused during sinus surgery can be addressed or healed spontaneously.
• Eye injury. This is rare and may result in double vision, blurred vision and, in severe cases, loss of vision.
• Injuries to large blood vessels. This may be rare but may result in life-threatening bleeding.

Minor complications include:

• Infection
• Scar bands in the sinuses
• Minor bleeding
• Recurrent infections
• Reduced or loss of sense of smell
• Bruising or swelling around the eyes
• Tearing of eyes
• Voice changes

Patients with nasal polyps have a higher risk of recurrence of the disease. However, an appropriate combination of FESS and long-term medical treatment can reduce the risk of recurrence of polyps after surgery. Hence, it is advisable for such patients to follow up with their surgeon regularly.

With the availability of image guidance system (IGS) during sinus surgery, the risks of major complications may be significantly reduced. Using IGS, the surgeon is able to confirm the position of the operating instruments in relation to critical structures such as the eye, brain or major blood vessels. This is particularly helpful in revision FESS (re-do sinus operation), whereby there may be a lot of scarring and distortion of important surgical landmarks from the previous surgery/ies or in cases where the sinus anatomy is complex.

*The risks and complications referred to in this form are not intended to be exhaustive. There may be uncommon risks of the procedure not referred to in this form, or those that are applicable to you specifically due to individual patient risk factors. Please ask your doctor for more information.

What is the recovery after FESS?

After a sinus operation, the surgeon usually places dressings in the sinus cavities to prevent post-operative adhesions and to minimise bleeding. These dressings may be absorbable (which does not require removal) or non-absorbable (which will usually be removed between 5-10 days after surgery). In some conditions, “nasal packs” may be inserted into the nasal cavities to minimise bleeding after surgery. These “nasal packs” are non-absorbable and are usually removed in 1-2 days. Depending on the extent of the sinus operation, the patient may be allowed to go home on the same day (as a Day Surgery Procedure) or may be admitted to the ward and observed overnight.

It is common for patients to feel blocked in the nose from the packing material and blood clots. A nasal gauze (“bolster”) will be placed under the nose to collect any blood that drips out (Fig 2). This is usually removed before the patient goes home. There may be mild pain after the surgery, but this is generally well-controlled with pain relievers.

Recovery from a sinus surgery typically involves nasal irrigation and pain management. Patients are advised to wash their nose with specially prepared salt solution (nasal irrigation or “douche”) 2-3 times a day. This is very important in keeping the sinuses clean and moist, thereby helping to speed up healing and recovery of sinus function. Nasal irrigation is continued for at least several weeks after surgery, and patients will be advised on how long to continue on this by their surgeon.

In the first clinic visit (usually between 5-10 days after surgery), the packing materials will be removed (if non-absorbable) or suctioned out (if absorbable). The surgeon will clean up the sinus cavities with the aid of an endoscope and suction. Following this, most patients will feel much better. The patient should be able to return to work within 1-2 weeks after sinus surgery. The full recovery of the sinuses may take up to 6-12 weeks although most patients will feel well enough to conduct their normal daily activities after 1-2 weeks.

Are there any food restrictions after FESS?

Once the anaesthesia wears off, you should be able to resume a normal healthy diet. There is no evidence that any particular food will worsen your recovery or outcome of your surgery. However, it is advisable to avoid very hot, spicy food, or excessive alcohol, in the 1st week after surgery. The increased blood flow associated with facial flushing can theoretically increase the risk of bleeding from the incompletely-healed tissues of the nose and sinuses at this time.

When can I resume heavy physical activity?

The healing process of the nose and sinuses varies from person to person. It is generally advised that patients should avoid any heavy physical activity (e.g. weight lifting, intense aerobic exercises) and swimming for at least a month after FESS.

Are there alternatives to FESS?

The alternative to FESS depends on the specific reasons (indications) for the surgery. Most commonly, FESS is recommended when medical treatment has failed or if the patient experiences frequent episodes of rhinosinusitis. If these were the reasons, the alternative to FESS would be continuation of medical treatment or observation. The patient should understand that once his or her condition reached the stage that surgery is recommended, it is unlikely that the patient’s symptoms will get very much better with medical treatment alone.

If you are considering FESS in Singapore, consult an ENT specialist to discuss your options and receive the recommended care.

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