Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Before your surgery, your consultant will usually arrange for a CT scan to confirm your diagnosis and help plan the procedure. This will take place at our dedicated imaging and diagnostics centre.

Endoscopic sinus surgery is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic, but in some cases, it can be done with a local anaesthetic and sedation. It normally takes between 1 and 3 hours. 

During endoscopic sinus surgery:

1. Your consultant will gently insert the endoscope into your nostril. 

2. They will remove any blockages such as polyps, bone or diseased tissue.

3. At the end of the procedure, they may pack your nose with material to absorb any blood or discharge.

Endoscopic sinus surgery is a generally safe procedure, but as with any medical procedure, there’s a small risk that complications or side effects can occur. 

Your consultant will explain all the potential risks of your treatment before your procedure and answer any questions you may have. 

Complications of endoscopic sinus surgery may include: 

• bleeding (including nosebleeds) 

• watery eyes

• loss of your sense of smell 

• eye problems – as your sinuses are close to your eye sockets, bleeding and bruising into your eye socket can occur. Rarely, a more serious injury can occur that may lead to problems such as double vision or loss of sight (this is extremely rare)

• spinal fluid leak – the sinuses are also close to the thin bone at the base of the brain, which, if damaged during surgery, could lead to cerebrospinal fluid leaking into the nose (occurs in approximately 1 in 1500 operations). If this does happen, it’s normally repaired at the same time as the original surgery, but rarely, further surgery may be required to stop the leak

Your ENT surgeon will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your endoscopic sinus surgery.

Tell your consultant about any medical conditions or allergies you have, and any medications you take regularly. 

You may need to: 

• stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, for a few days before your surgery. This is to reduce the risk of bleeding during and after your procedure.

• stop smoking at least three weeks before your surgery

• have a health assessment, including a blood test, chest X-ray and ECG, to check that you are fit enough to undergo a general anaesthetic 

• if you’re having a general anaesthetic, you won’t be able to eat or drink anything from midnight on the day of your surgery

Your consultant will give you instructions to follow during your recovery. They’ll arrange a follow-up appointment with you to check your progress. 

After your endoscopic surgery, your nose will feel blocked. Rinsing with salt water can help with this. You may have dressings in your nose when you wake up from the anaesthetic. Your consultant will let you know when these can be removed. 

You may experience mild nasal pain after your operation, but this should be treatable with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. 

You will usually be able to go home once the anaesthetic has worn off. Please arrange for someone to collect you from the hospital as you won’t be able to drive yourself home, or for 24 hours after having a general anaesthetic. 

Avoid blowing your nose for the first 48 hours after your surgery. If you need to sneeze, do so with your mouth open to reduce pressure inside your nose. 

It’s normal for mucus or blood-stained fluid to drip from the nose for a week or 2 after your surgery. 

Rest at home for at least a week after your endoscopic sinus surgery and ease back into activities gradually. Most people resume normal daily activities within 10 to 14 days. Avoid strenuous exercise until your consultant tells you it’s safe, and avoid dusty or smoky environments during your recovery.

If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, please contact us for advice.

Please contact our Surgery Centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our ENT surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book endoscopic sinus surgery, you must be referred by either your GP or an ENT specialist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with an ENT specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.