Sinus surgery in Iran: all you need to know

Sinuses are cavities inside the skull with two main tasks. Firstly, they produce mucus, which helps moisturize inside of the nose. Secondly, as air-filled cavities, sinuses can also lighten the skull and improve our voice.

When the sinuses are blocked, they cannot function well, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. Sometimes, the symptoms subside on their own. When they don’t, the ENT specialist would recommend a suitable treatment like medication or surgery. Read on to find out what the surgery entails, whether you are a candidate, and how to undergo sinus surgery in Iran.

What is sinus surgery?

Sinus surgery is a procedure to remove blockages and/or enlarge the sinus passages. This can be performed by opening the nose (traditional surgery) or through endoscopic surgery. The surgery is usually performed in a couple of hours. It is also followed by minimal complications. After the surgery, about 90% of the patients report improvements in their symptoms.

Who needs sinus surgery?

Sinus surgery is an ideal option for those who have frequent infections due to the existing blockage in their sinuses or nasal cavity. Although most doctors initially recommend less-invasive treatments and home remedies, surgery might be the only effective option if the problem persists.

To figure out whether you are a candidate for sinuplasty, you and your doctor should identify the underlying cause. In most cases, the condition is either chronic sinusitis or recurring acute sinusitis. Either way, surgery is an ultimate treatment in most cases.

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the inside of the sinuses. The person who is suffering from sinusitis usually experiences these symptoms:

• Headache on forehead
• Pressure on the face, especially around the eyes.
• Dark-colored nasal discharge
• Stuffy nose
• Cough
• Reduced sense of smell
• Blocked ears

Although treating chronic and acute sinusitis is usually the main reason for sinus surgery, sinus surgery might also be recommended for blockages that are due to other factors, namely:

• Abnormal sinus structure
• Nasal polyps
• Damaged tissue
• Abnormal growth in the sinus

If you are experiencing continuous symptoms that indicate a blockage in your nasal cavity or sinuses, you should see an ENT specialist. You can also have a free consultation right now by sending us a message.

Types of sinus surgery

There are several methods of sinus surgery. The surgeon selects one of the techniques based on the patient’s general health and what’s causing the problem. If you are to undergo sinus surgery, it is vital to have a basic understanding of each procedure and the advantages and disadvantages they have.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

FESS is a less invasive technique and also the standard procedure to treat sinusitis. It is the preferred procedure because it has a low chance of complications and little to no downtime. Also, some studies show that the success rate of endoscopic sinus surgery is over 90%, meaning 9 out of every 10 patients have reported improved symptoms within 6 months to a year after the procedure.

During the functional endoscopic sinus surgery, the surgeon uses an endoscope to identify the blockage and remove the affected tissue or bone. By opening up the blocked passages, the surgeon can flush out infection in the sinuses.

FESS is performed under local anesthesia and can be done in an hour or so. The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis; meaning you won’t need to stay overnight at the hospital.

Balloon sinuplasty

Similar to the FESS procedure, balloon sinuplasty is an endoscopic procedure. As with functional endoscopic sinus surgery, balloon sinuplasty involves minimal risks and very short downtime. Moreover, balloon sinuplasty is extremely effective because it eliminates the need to cut nasal tissues.

Adapted from the successful balloon angioplasty procedure which unclogs the blockages in the blood vessels, balloon sinuplasty aims to dilate congested cavities using a balloon that inflates at the site of the blockage. Similar to FESS, balloon sinuplasty has proved to provide successful results for most patients.

However, this procedure is fairly new (approved in 2005). Therefore, it is not yet performed on all patients. You can ask your surgeon whether the technique is an option for you.

Traditional sinuplasty

Traditional sinuplasty involves removing the diseased tissues and bones through an open incision. Although less-invasive alternatives are preferred by most specialists, traditional sinuplasty might be the only effective treatment for some patients, including those who have obtained unsatosfactory results from endoscopic surgery.

During the traditional sinus surgery, the surgeon cuts open the area to expose sinuses. Then, he or she will be able to make alterations that are needed to help drain the infection.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and might take more time than an endoscopic procedure does. Hospital stay is often recommended to patients.

Recovery is an important aspect of traditional sinus surgery. Patients should follow the post-operative care instructions strictly to prevent risks and complications.

Cost of sinus surgery in Iran

The cost of sinus surgery in Iran is only a fraction of that in most countries. Without insurance, endoscopic sinuplasty can cost about $20,000 in many countries. In Iran, however, most medical centers will charge about $1000 to $2000 for endoscopic sinus surgery. For patients who travel to Iran to undergo traditional sinuplasty and cosmetic nose job at the same time, the sinus surgery will only cost about $700.

The low cost of this ENT surgery does not imply that the surgery is handled by unqualified surgeons or the medical centers are unprofessional. In fact, there is ample evidence that Iranian ENT specialists are exceedingly renowned not only in the Middle East but also all around the world for their expertise. Furthermore, Iranian clinics and hospitals are staffed with highly-trained personnel and offer services that comply with world-class standards.

Sinus surgery and rhinoplasty

Sometimes, the patient who is having a nose job is also a sinus surgery candidate. In such cases, both procedures can be performed at the same time. That is, the surgeon will reshape the patient’s nose along with removing the blockage in sinuses and eliminating the nasal polyps. Sinuplasty can be done either with the traditional method or using endoscopic technique.

Concurrent rhinoplasty and sinus surgery is a desirable option because it can result in effective outcomes while minimizing the cost. Plus, the overall recovery period will be much shorter, as you will recover from both procedures at the same time.

Sinus surgery recovery

Usually, you won’t need to spend the night in the hospital after the surgery. However, follow-up care is crucial during recovery. If you are to undergo sinuplasty in Iran and through AriaMedTour, you can rest assured that all your affairs will be taken care of by our healthcare team.

Depending on the type of surgery, your recovery period will be no more than a few days to a couple of weeks. You should be aware that some surgeons may prohibit you from traveling by air due to the cabin pressure that might affect your sinuses during the first few weeks after surgery. Be sure to ask about the time you need to stay in Iran after your surgery before making arrangements.

You can expect bleeding or bloody discharge for 3 to 5 days after the surgery. Your doctor will probably prescribe medications to minimize bleeding. You might also experience pain and pressure in the area for a couple of days. Use the pain-reliefs prescribed by your doctor to decrease the discomfort. Fatigue and nasal congestion are other possible post-operative side effects of sinus surgery.

To promote effective recovery, your doctor will give you complete instruction including the following:

• Avoid strenuous activities that could increase your blood pressure for at least a week after the surgery.
• For a couple of days, slightly elevate your head and neck while sleeping to encourage drainage.
• Avoid blowing your nose for 10 days after the surgery.
• Refrain from blood thinners such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications for 2 weeks after the surgery.

Sinus surgery risks and complications

Similar to any surgery, there are some risks associated with sinuplasty. Although rare, it is still possible to experience the following complications after surgery:

• Excessive bleeding
• Vision problems
• Olfactory dysfunction (decreased sense of smell)
• Severe headache

If you have any questions regarding the procedure and AriaMedTour services, contact us by filling out the form below. Our healthcare team will get back to you as soon as possible.