Why sinus surgery can sometimes make things worse
Individuals with chronic sinusitis or other sinus conditions may at some point opt to have sinus surgery. Sometimes, however, the surgery doesn’t help—and the person continues to suffer from sinusitis, nasal polyps, or other sinus problems. Indeed, some people find sinus surgery actually makes their problem worse than it was to begin with. When this happens, Revision Sinus Surgery NYC may be the best solution.
There are a number of situations in which sinus surgery simply doesn’t resolve the sinusitis. In some situations, this really is a problem of the surgery. Perhaps the surgeon failed to enlarge the ostium, and instead made another small hole next to it, causing the mucus to recirculate (for more information about this problem, click here). Or perhaps the surgeon didn’t follow the patient’s progress closely enough, and scarring blocked the surgically created opening.
Get an accurate diagnosis is key
In many cases, however, the failure is not a surgical failure but rather a diagnostic failure. It doesn’t matter how skilled your surgeon is, or how faithfully he or she monitors your progress if your sinusitis arises from allergies, immunodeficiency, or acid reflux.
Acid Reflux is often the culprit
Acid reflux is typically associated with heartburn and gastroesphageal problems. But because the tissue in your larynx, nose, and sinuses is so sensitive, you can actually have enough acid reflux to impact your sinuses without having heartburn or indigestion. See our chart on foods that can cause acid reflux
pH testing can tell us a lot
Because the symptoms of acid reflux in the nasal passages can be so varied from person to person, we recommend monitoring the pH in your sinuses for 24 hours before deciding to get sinus surgery, or choosing revision sinus surgery. We use a state-of-the-art probe that sits high in your throat, and can give us a clear sense of the ebb and flow of any acid in your sinuses. The probe doesn’t impact your daily activities, and can even be used in children.
A simple change of diet may work
If you’re considering sinus surgery or revision sinus surgery, we urge you to call today. You may indeed need surgery, but it’s possible that simply changing your diet could alleviate your sinus problems. Please call today to make an appointment regarding Revision Sinus Surgery NYC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sinus surgery may fail if the surgical procedure does not properly enlarge the sinus openings, leading to mucus recirculation, or if post-surgical scarring blocks the created openings. Additionally, failure to correctly diagnose underlying causes such as allergies, immunodeficiency, or acid reflux can result in persistent symptoms despite surgery.
Revision sinus surgery is a corrective procedure performed when initial sinus surgery does not resolve symptoms or worsens the condition. It is recommended when issues like scarring, incomplete surgical openings, or missed diagnoses contribute to ongoing sinus problems.
Acid reflux can affect sinus health by introducing acid into the nasal passages and sinuses, irritating sensitive tissues without necessarily causing typical heartburn symptoms. This irritation can exacerbate or mimic sinusitis, making it a possible underlying cause of sinus problems.
pH monitoring helps detect acid reflux in the sinuses by measuring acidity levels over 24 hours with a specialized probe. Identifying acid reflux as a contributing factor can guide treatment decisions and possibly prevent unnecessary or ineffective sinus surgery.
Yes, since certain foods can trigger acid reflux, modifying the diet to avoid these trigger foods may reduce acid irritation in the sinuses and alleviate sinus symptoms. This non-surgical approach can sometimes be effective in managing sinus issues caused by reflux.
Before deciding on surgery, patients should seek an accurate diagnosis that considers all potential causes, including acid reflux and allergies. Undergoing pH monitoring and exploring non-surgical treatments like dietary adjustments can help determine the best approach to their sinus condition.