Surgical Treatments
The Stanford Sinus Center specializes in medical and surgical treatment of patients with complex problems of the nose and sinuses.
In addition to videoscope diagnostic techniques, center director Peter Hwang, MD, and his colleagues use a stereotaxic surgical navigational system to improve accuracy and efficiency in the operating room.
The Sinus Center offer treatments for the following conditions:
- Acute and chronic sinus infections
- Nasal allergies
- Nasal obstruction and deviated septum
- Fungal infections of the sinuses
- Nosebleeds
- Tumors of the nose and sinuses
- Polyps
- Asthma-associated sinus diseases
- Persistent disease after previous surgery
- Headache with sinus components
- Complications of previous sinus surgeries
- Frontal and sphenoid sinusitis
- Blocked nasal passages
- Nasal deformity requiring cosmetic surgery
- Surgical management of Grave's disease
Advances in Sinus Surgery
Although most sinus-related can be treated with medicines, surgery is still sometimes required. Whenever possible, Stanford surgeons use newer, less deforming, and less painful techniques. The most common type of sinus surgery is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS).
In FESS, your physician will use small cameras and instruments to work carefully in the nose. S/he will remove obstructing tissues, allowing the sinuses to drain more naturally. This should decrease the severity, frequency, and duration of infections.
In some cases your surgeon may suggest surgery that includes "surgical navigation" -- usually with a special type of CT or MRI scanner -- in order to diminish the chance of complications and improve results.