Nose Procedures

There are many different nose procedures that can be performed. It is best to be guided by an ENT specialist like Dr Pieter Naudé to advise you on your options, and what operation is needed to relieve your specific symtoms. Should you need sinus surgery, your surgeon will explain to you the specific procedure, what to expect, and how to handle yourself during the recovery period, as well as any necessary medications needed in this time.

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

The main goal of sinus surgery is to remove obstructive tissue in order to improve your natural sinus drainage. Other goals can be to improve breathing through your nose, restore smell sensation or reduce chronic sinus infections. Sometimes, in extreme cases, surgery can be done to help medication for nose allergies work better.

Operations used to be done via incisions in the face, but most sinus surgeries these days are done endoscopically. This means that small cameras called endoscopes are used to see inside your nose to do the operation. No incisions or cuts in your face. That is why we call it Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, or sometimes Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS). The 'functional' part refers to the fact that only what is needed is done to restore the basic funtions of your nose again.

A CT or CAT scan is done a few weeks before the sinus operation. This helps the surgeon to confirm the diagnosis, plan the surgery and also to make sure that the best operation is done in the safest way possible.
Your surgeon will explain to you exactly what to expect and how the aftercare will take place, depending on the type of surgery that is done.

Septoplasty

Septoplasty refers to a nose procedure where the nasal septum is straightened. The septum should ideally run down the centre of the nose, but if it doesn't, it can cause symptoms like blocked nose, reduced smell or even sinus problems.

Septoplasty corrects the deviated septum and allows for normal airflow through the nose. Your ENT specialist can advise you on the need for septoplasty, and what the aftercare instructions are. The surgery is relatively safe and has a great success rate.

You can usually go home the same day as the procedure, after the anaesthesia has worn off. Your nose will be swollen inside for a while, but wound healing will be fairly rapid.

For more information about the various nose procedures like septoplasty, contact Dr Pieter Naudé today for expert medical advice.