Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery or FESS is a method to heal sinus by performing a surgery. In this surgery a thin rigid optical telescope, called an endoscope, is used in the nose to view the nasal cavity and sinuses which is a different method compared to traditional sinus surgery. FESS has revolutionized the surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis and patients undergoing this surgery have benefited from it. The best part of FESS is that it eliminates the need for an external incision and with the help of the endoscope it allows for better view and magnification of diseased or problem areas of the sinus. Endoscopic exam, combined with CT scans, may reveal a problem that was not apparent before.
Unlike conventional surgeries, the functionl endoscopic sinus surgery focuses on treating the underlying cause of the problem. Ethmoid sinuses are usually opened as this enables direct view of the maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses. The diseased or obstructive tissue can be removed if required. The objective of this surgery is to open the sinuses more widely and generally the openings to the sinuses are long narrow bony channels covered with mucosa or the lining of the sinuses and if this lining swells from inflammation, the sinuses can become blocked and an infection can develop. With the FESS, there are not external scars, little swelling, and only mild discomfort and hence is quite popular among the people suffering from sinusitis.
