Nasal Conditions
Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis is a common condition affecting people of all ages. It is associated with significant symptoms and impairment of quality of life.
Patients suffer from symptoms including:
Facial pain and pressure
Blocked nose
Runny nose and postnasal drip
Impaired sense of smell
Fatigue
The underlying cause of sinusitis is often complicated and multifactorial. Contributing factors include anatomical abnormality, allergy, infection and immune dysfunction.
Treatment needs to be tailored to the individual patient. Most patients can be managed with a range of medical treatments such as antibiotics, nasal sprays and saline washes. In some cases if patients have failed to respond to medical treatment they may benefit from surgery.
Surgery for sinusitis has progressed dramatically in the last 20 years. Surgery is now performed endoscopically (with cameras through the nose). Patients do not experience external swelling and packing the nose is rarely necessary. The surgery can usually be performed as day surgery.
The surgeons at Greenslopes ENT have extensive experience in the medical and surgical management of patients with chronic sinusitis.
Septoplasty & Turbinate Reduction
The nasal septum is the structure which divides your nasal cavity into two halves. It is composed of bone and cartilage. It may become deviated following trauma to the nose or may simply grow in a crooked fashion. When deviated it tends to narrow the nasal airway and cause obstruction.
The turbinates are structures on the side walls of the nasal cavity that act to warm and humidify inspired air. When they are enlarged they narrow the nasal cavity and produce nasal obstruction.
The surgery is performed without any external incisions on the nose or face. The entire operation is performed within the nasal cavity with the assistance of an endoscope. Deviated portions of the septum are removed whilst preserving the normal structures. The turbinates are reduced in size without being completely removed in order to preserve their important natural function. Some sutures are placed on the inside of the nasal cavity.
These are dissolvable and do not need to be removed.
