Endoscopic sphenoidotomy is the surgical opening of the sphenoid sinus using an endoscope (a thin and flexible tube with a camera at one end). This procedure improves the airflow through the nose. Endoscopic sphenoidotomy can be a part of
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (for sinus disease).
- Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (for surgical removal of a skull base tumor).
Endoscopic sphenoidotomy may have three approaches:
- Through the nasal cavity using an optical telescope for visualization of the sphenoid sinus
- Through the nasal septum (the partition that divides your nose into left and right nostrils) that directs the surgeon to the midline of the sphenoid sinus
- Through the ethmoid sinus (the sinus present between your nose and eyes)
The sphenoid sinus is a hollow space in the bones around the nose. There are two large sphenoid sinuses in the sphenoid bone present behind the nose between the eyes. The
What are the indications of endoscopic sphenoidotomy?
The indications of endoscopic sphenoidotomy include:
- Acute and chronic sphenoid rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses and nasal cavity)
- Tumor in the sphenoid sinus
- Endonasal skull base or pituitary surgery
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak
- Traumatic injury to the optic canal
- Endonasal vidian neurectomy (a surgical procedure to cut the vidian nerve for curing excessive nasal secretions, increased tear production, or inflammation)
How to prepare for an endoscopic procedure?
Before the surgery, you must prepare yourself by following these instructions:
- Undergo blood tests, electrocardiography (EKG), computed tomography (CT), and chest X-ray around 1 month before the surgery.
- Schedule a visit to the surgeon before the actual procedure.
- Start oral steroids and/or antibiotic therapy during the pre-surgical period.
- Do not take aspirin or salicylate for at least 10 weeks before the surgery because it increases the risk of bleeding.
- Do not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for at least 5 days before the surgery.
- Avoid smoking for at least 3 weeks before the surgery because smoking exacerbates the sinus symptoms and increases the risk of complications.
- Do not eat or drink anything for at least 8-12 hours before the surgery.
- Buy Afrin nasal spray and spray into the nose 1-2 hours before the surgery.
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowWhat to expect during endoscopic sphenoidotomy?
Usually, under general anesthesia, a surgeon will use an endoscope to visualize the sinus tissues.
There are three approaches used to locate the sphenoid sinus:
- Through the nasal cavity using an optical telescope for visualization of the sphenoid sinus
- Through the nasal septum that directs the surgeon to the midline of the sphenoid sinus
- Through ethmoidectomy (it requires partial removal of the front wall of the maxillary sinus to visualize the ethmoid and maxillary sinus)
After identifying the sphenoid sinus, the physician enlarges the opening.
What to expect after endoscopic sphenoidotomy?
You can expect the following after the surgery:
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Nasal congestion and discharge
You should avoid doing the following after the surgery:
- Straining or nose blowing
- Heavy lifting
- Taking aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for 2 weeks after the surgery
- Taking steroid nasal sprays unless prescribed by your surgeon
References
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2051621-technique#c7
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17478-sinus-surgery
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17478-sinus-surgery
Complete List
Top What Is Endoscopic Sphenoidotomy? Related Articles
What Causes Chronic Sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis occurs when the tissue lining the facial sinuses becomes inflamed for at least three months. Chronic sinusitis usually involves nasal airway swelling (rhinitis). The causes of chronic sinusitis include nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, medical conditions, respiratory tract infections, and allergies.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
How to Get Rid of a Sinus Infection Fast
The sinuses are air-filled cavities that surround the nose and drain into the nose. They are present in the forehead, the cheeks and near the eyes. Treatment for sinus infections includes over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants, antibiotics, humidifiers, nasal irrigation, steam inhalation, rest, hydration and warm compresses.
Is a Sinus Infection Contagious?
Sinus infection (sinusitis) is an infection (viral, bacterial, or fungal) or inflammation of the sinuses. Symptoms of sinus infection are cough, bad breath, coughing up greenish-yellow sputum, sinus headache, and other symptoms of the common cold. Treatments of sinus infection are home remedies to soothe symptoms and antibiotics if the infection is bacterial or fungal.
Natural Sinus Remedies
Sinus pressure and pain are common in people who suffer from allergies, the common cold, and chemical exposure. Humidified air, hydration, avoiding allergens, and nasal irrigation can help relieve sinus pressure symptoms.
Sinus Headache
Sinus headache is caused by a sinus infection or inflammation of the sinus cavities. Symptoms of a sinus headache include pain, runny or stuffy nose, and chronic cough. There are many causes of sinus headaches including sinusitis or sinus infection, allergies, smoke, infections, or colds. Treatment for sinus headache depends on the cause. Some home remedies may relieve sinus headache pain symptoms.
Sinus Infection Dos and Don'ts
Is it OK to fly when you've got sinusitis? How about going to work? WebMD helps you decide what's right and wrong when you're all stuffed up.Sinus Infection vs. Allergies
Both sinus infections and allergies (allergic rhinitis) cause symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose and fatigue. Sinus infection (known as sinusitis) is inflammation of the sinuses, caused by infection from bacteria, viruses, and/or fungi (molds). Allergic rhinitis occurs when certain allergies cause nasal symptoms. When a person with allergies breathes in an allergen, such as pollen, dust, or animal dander, symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, itching, sneezing, and fatigue occur.
Sinus Infection vs. Cold
Viruses cause the common cold and most sinus infections. Bacterial and fungal infections may also cause a sinus infection. Signs and symptoms of colds and sinus infections include nasal irritation or dryness, sore throat, stuffy nose, nasal discharge/congestion, sneezing, and cough. Additional symptoms of sinus infections include sinus pressure behind the cheeks or eyes, facial pain when pressure is applied, bad breath, and thick yellow or green mucus. Treatment focuses on symptom relief.
Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)
Sinus infection (sinusitis) is caused by allergies, infection, and chemicals or other irritants of sinuses. Signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
Sinusitis Slideshow
Sinus infection (sinusitis) symptoms can include headaches, a sore throat, and toothaches. Antibiotics and home remedies can relieve sinus infection symptoms.