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Paranasal Sinus Surgery in Babies

As perfect as babies seem to their mothers and fathers at birth, complications and malformations do happen. Babies are not immune to the airborne pathogens that they unknowingly and unintentionally inhale. Paranasal sinus complications caused by inhalation of these pathogens can unfortunately result in the need for surgery.

  1. Formation of Sinuses

    • Paranasal sinuses develop during prenatal development. The sinus cavities are the air-filled spaces within the bones of the face located around the nose and the eyes.

    Complications

    • Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses in babies can be caused by a number of things. Like adults, babies may be affected by allergies, viruses, bacterial infections and irritating substances, which can all contribute to infection of the bone or tissue.

    Diagnosis

    • Surgery in children is not highly recommended and before performing the surgery, doctors should review all symptoms of paranasal sinus infections carefully, according to Drs. Kathleen McDonald, Ron Deskin and Francis B. Quinn Jr. in their article Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Pediatric Sinusitis. A close review of the infant's history as well as high-tech scans of the sinus region will help the doctor to determine if surgery is necessary.

    Surgery

    • Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is used to help cure the infant's paranasal sinus infections. This surgery is highly specialized and requires great attention to detail. Because of the tiny space the surgeon has when working on a baby, it is pertinent that only the specialized surgical tools are used.

    Medications

    • In order to perform FESS the baby must be anesthetized. This too is a risky and precise step requiring an anesthesiologist to supply the baby with a perfect dose of medicine. Too much can cause complications for the baby and too little could contribute to unnecessary pain.

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