Sinusitis FAQ

Widening of Ethmoids

Question:

My ENT said it would beneficial if I had my ethmoid sinuses widened because they are very narrow and causing sinus headaches and infections.  Has anyone had this surgery? If so, was it beneficial? What was the recovery time? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Will

Response:

I have had a ‘ethmoidechtomy’. This is where (as it was explained to me) all the little bones in the ethmoids are removed – presumably this widens things. This surgery (along with removing polyps at the same time) was performed in October of 1996. Recovery from the surgery took several weeks. I also continued to have swelling in my sinues and infections afterward. I regained taste and smell for maybe a three week period. Beginning in March of 1997, I commenced a 2 week period of prednisone along with a 6 week period of biaxin. At the same time I began nasal irrigation 4 times a day with the Grossan Water Pik attachment. I continued to use Flonase twice a day. After the pred and biaxin, I continued with the irrigation and still irrigate daily (although I am down to once or twice a day). I also continue to use Flonase twice a day. I have not had another sinus infection since March of 1997. I can taste and smell, although it’s not perfect (before the surgery I could not taste or smell at all). I had had pretty severe headaches also before the surgery. So, was the surgery worth it? I think it played a significant role in my (continuing) recovery. What I needed to become aware of, however, was the need for constant maintenance to get and stay healthy. I always keep a picture in my mind for incentive. That is: two goldfish bowls on my counter, each with one fish. The bowl on the left is never cleaned, the bowl on the right is flushed daily. Which fish do you think is happy and healthy? Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -William Traynor wrote in message <6ans09$…@dfw-ixnews3.ix.netcom.com>… >My ENT said it would beneficial if I had my ethmoid sinuses widened because >they are very narrow and causing sinus headaches and infections.  Has anyone >had this surgery? If so, was it beneficial? What was the recovery time? Any >input would be greatly appreciated. >Will

Response:

Yes I had had this done, but it was not a pleasant experience. The doctor was unskilled and attemped to get to my sinuses through my anal cavity, this is called an Analmoid, after’s the surgery I had quite a rough period of adjustment, as everytime i would sneeze, a diarea film would run down my face Don’t do it man Keep your hoop to yourself Jazz

Response:

From the description here, its not clear what surgery is being proposed. If the ethmoids are diseased and can’t be cleared with medication or pulsatile saline irrigation then surgical correction may be indicated. There may be a blockage of drainage which requires surgical correction. You can have headaches from chronic ethmoid infection. If anyone says this is minor surgery – RUN. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com    tell a friend. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com

Response:

Jazz:  Get a clue.  I think someone gave you a lobotomy and you just don’t realize it. MRR Jazzm24867 <jazzm24…@aol.com> wrote in article <19980131144701.JAA05…@ladder02.news.aol.com>… > Yes I had had this done, but it was not a pleasant experience. > The doctor was unskilled and attemped to get to my sinuses through my

anal – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Jazz

Response:

Filed under: Nasal irrigation

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