Ethmoidectomy is the removal of infected ethmoid tissue. The ethmoid sinus is connected to most sinuses. It is found between your eyes and nose bridge. If the ethmoid cells get infected, the sinus gets clogged. Clogging can cause an infection to spread to the other sinuses. The ethmoid sinus can get blocked by chronic ethmoid sinusitis, nasal polyps, or other sinus-related conditions.
Functional ethmoidectomy restores sinus drainage function. This sinus surgery is recommended if conservative or medical management has failed.
What is the Surgery for Ethmoidectomy?
Ethmoidectomy is commonly performed under general anesthesia for the patient’s comfort. The procedure commonly lasts up to two hours, depending on the patient’s case. The type of ethmoidectomy commonly done is endoscopic surgery due to its minimally invasive nature.
In this procedure, the surgeon will insert two instruments inside your nose through your nostril. A microdebrider will be used to remove the infected ethmoid tissue. The surgeon will be guided by another instrument called the endoscope, a thin wire with a small light and a camera, for precise removal.
Ethmoidectomy has many types of surgical techniques. The most common ethmoidectomies are the anterior ethmoidectomy and total ethmoidectomy. Surgeons use anterior ethmoidectomy if the infected parts are in the front or anterior ethmoid region. They use the total ethmoidectomy if the anterior and posterior ethmoid regions are infected.
What are the Complications of Ethmoidectomy?
Ethmoidectomy has the same risks as sinus medical management and failure to treat an ethmoid infection:
- Visual impairment
- Recurrent nasal infections
- Recurrent nasal obstruction
- Brain damage or infection
What is the Recovery Time for Ethmoidectomy?
The full recovery time for ethmoidectomy can take several weeks. Typically, patients must take a few days off work or school to aid sinus healing, such as wearing a nasal drip pad.
These are the symptoms that will go away within 2-3 days after the operation:
- Dry blood
- Minimal bleeding
These are the symptoms that will go away within 1-3 weeks after the operation:
- Mild congestion
- Mucus crusting
- Numbness around teeth
To help the sinuses heal and decongest, your doctor may prescribe the following:
- Nasal irrigation or saline spray
- Antibiotic lubricants
- Pain medication (avoid aspirin as it can slow down clotting)
During the first night after the operation, you must sleep with the head elevated in a reclined bed or propped with extra pillows.
For the next week, you will need to avoid the following to avoid increasing pressure in the sinuses:
- Bending down
- Lifting more than 10-15 pounds
- Blowing their nose forcefully (light blowing of the nose is okay)
- If there is a need to sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open
- Vigorous activities and exercise are necessary to prevent pressure for the next ten days or until permitted.
Attending follow-up appointments is also vital so your doctor can monitor your recovery.
Expert Care at Puget Sound Sinus Center
An ethmoidectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the debridement of infected ethmoid cells. This craniomaxillofacial surgery is crucial, given that most sinuses drain to or are connected to the ethmoid sinus. Despite inherent risks, the primary objective of this procedure is to restore sinus function.
A Fellowship-trained Sinus and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgeon, Dr. Amy Anstead delivers comprehensive and patient-centered care. With extensive experience performing thousands of complex sinus and endoscopic skull-based surgeries worldwide, you’ll receive expert care to restore sinus function while minimizing risks and complications. Schedule an appointment today as your first step to sinus relief.
