Following your surgery, in most cases, you will be allowed to return home that same day. Typically, there will be nasal splints, which are semi-firm silastic material, which will be sewn through the nose and are placed to prevent any scarring across the nose.
In addition, there may be some soft rubber catheters placed into the sinuses themselves. These are sewn on the outside of the splints. The splints will be fixed into position and you should not attempt to remove them. These will be removed in approximately 7-10 days when we see you back in the clinic.
During your recovery period, you may experience some intermittent ooze of both absorbable hemostatic materials that have been placed into the sinuses, as well as some blood-tinged mucous. This should be sniffed back into the oral cavity and expectorated.
In addition, you will be placed on antibiotics in most cases to take as long as the splints are present in the nose.
At the present time we are not routinely using any saline nasal sprays. However, this may vary from case to case and at the discretion of the operating surgeon. We would ask you to use some Bacitracin ointment which can be obtained over-the-counter. Please apply this in the area of the nasal opening on each side using a cotton swab. Crusting can be removed gently by using some half strength hydrogen peroxide on a cotton swab, and then applying the Bacitracin ointment. This can be done on a daily basis.
Refrain from trying to blow you nose, and should you sneeze, make sure your mouth is open.
All surgical procedures have risks, benefits, alternatives, and complications. The following possible risks and complications have been discussed with you regarding your surgical procedure and include:
1. Bleeding - Mild to moderate bleeding is expected up to 48 hours after surgery. Rarely transfusion or readmission for packing or surgery to control the bleeding may be needed.
2. Infection.
3. Injury to tear duct resulting in watery eyes. This may require further surgery.
4. Blindness or other vision changes. You should call the doctor immediately if vision changes.
5.
Swelling or bruising around the eyes.
6.
Nasal congestion from old blood, packs, etc. Need for frequent cleaning / saline washes.
7. Voice changes due to new air flow patterns.
8.
Change or loss of smell / taste.
9.
Dry nose / atrophic rhinitis - and need to use saline washes.
10.
Unexpected cardiac, pulmonary or anesthesia reactions.
11.
CSF leak: Drainage of brain fluid into the nose requiring surgery to fix.
12.
Meningitis / brain infection - symptoms include: stiff painful neck, increase in temperature and headache.
13.
Need for future surgical or medical care.
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Currently almost all sinus surgery is performed using minimally invasive techniques commonly referred to as FESS which stands for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. FESS is performed with the patient asleep under general anesthesia using endoscopes (small rigid telescopes) to access the sinuses through the nose without the need for external incisions. Utilizing this approach all the sinuses can opened and the normal drainage pattern 
restored with minimal disruption of normal tissue. This minimalist approach shortens healing time and postoperative discomfort. In the last few years an even less invasive technique has been developed which utilizes a tough micro balloon placed across the sinus opening to dilate and open the sinus. Aside from infectious problems these techniques can also be used to remove some nasal tumors and repair blocked tear ducts.
