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Is Sinus Surgery Still Needed If Symptoms and Infection Are Gone?

Sinus surgery can bring immense relief to some patients suffering from chronic sinus pain. You should discuss with your doctor your eligibility for sinus surgery, and the risks involved. For some, sinus surgery is not required to treat sinus infections. Those experiencing infrequent sinus infections can usually successfully treat the infections with antibiotics; patients with chronic and recurring pain may require the surgery.

  1. Types

    • Sinus problems can occur due to a cold, a deviated septum, allergies or polyps (tissue that swells and blocks passages in the nose). When you have multiple symptoms, your chances of having recurring, chronic problems are increased. Endoscopic sinus surgery can alleviate some of these symptoms.

      If you only have the occasional sinus infection, you may not have a chronic condition and will therefore not require surgery to correct the problem.

    Treatment

    • Those with chronic sinus problems who do not require surgery can still effectively treat chronic sinusitis and allergies. Identify the symptoms as soon as they occur. Ongoing treatment usually includes use of steroids and antibiotics. If homeopathic treatments and medications are successful and your infections are infrequent, surgery is likely not needed.

    Benefits

    • There are benefits to receiving surgery, including a serious reduction in symptoms and chronic pain.

    Considerations

    • There are some negatives to having sinus surgery. It includes minor risks. Also, while the surgery is done on an outpatient basis, it requires weeks to recover, with strict limitations on travel and certain medications.

    Effects

    • Sinus surgery may not provide a complete cure. Those with chronic sinus pain may still require occasional treatment for sinusitis. If your pain is manageable without the option of surgery, it is possible to live without undergoing the procedure. If you treat sinus symptoms and infection with antibiotics too frequently, you could suffer some negative effects from the antibiotics--such as the defeat of "good" bacteria needed by your body. If this becomes a threat to your health, surgery might be a better option for you.

    Frequency

    • The most important determining fact in whether sinus surgery is necessary once symptoms have disappeared involves the frequency of infections. If you find yourself constantly missing work, school and social engagements because of chronic and recurring infections (after an aggressive treatment with medications), sinus surgery is likely the most beneficial option.

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