Sinusoscopy

Supposedly, my maxillary sinus is clear. That’s what the doctors over at the Mayo Clinic are telling me. However, to be absolutely certain, they’ve scheduled me for a sinus endoscopy in July. Apparently, it’s some kind of procedure where they use a tiny camera to peer inside the sinus cavity.
Just the thought of someone poking around in my head makes me nauseous, but I suppose it's necessary. Something tells me this is done under local anesthesia, which honestly makes it sound even worse. Does anyone here have a connection at the IMF who has gone through something similar, or perhaps just someone who could walk me through exactly what to expect?
THX

Look, the procedure itself isn't exactly a walk in the park, but you'll be under anesthesia, so there's no need to lose sleep over the pain. Most likely, a bacterial infection killed off the surrounding tissue and caused a cyst to form. It’s just the body’s way of trying to wall off the infection and stop it from spreading. To actually fix this, they need to perform a drainage—basically creating an exit route so the pus can get out. Don't sweat it. For the doctors doing this every day, it's just another Tuesday.

Thanks! I'm just wondering, is it local or general anesthesia?

local

I’ve been through that myself and made it out the other side 😉

To hell with local anesthesia!

Gary Jones10,

Are you really complaining about local anesthesia?! Wouldn't you prefer general anesthesia instead? 😁

As if I’d settle for anything less than the full amount! If I’m going to play the saint, they can try their luck elsewhere.

From what I understand, most sinus procedures are performed under local anesthesia. While people claim it's painless, that isn't always the case. The issue with general anesthesia is that you have to deliver gas into the lungs via a mask over the mouth and nose, which just isn't practical during sinus surgery.

On the other hand, general anesthesia is quite a delicate matter—after all, the anesthesiologist is the most critical person in any operating room—so doctors try to avoid it whenever possible.

Furthermore, the side effects of general anesthesia compared to local options shouldn't even be discussed. With local anesthesia, you can head straight home after a minor procedure. After general anesthesia, however, you'll likely sleep all day and feel groggy for half the next one. I haven't experienced this personally, but I've heard from reliable sources that it feels like a mix of extreme drowsiness and a heavy hangover.

Incorrect. General anesthesia can be achieved via intravenous administration through an increasing dosage. There are several substances used for this purpose, such as Ketamine-based drugs, Fentanyl (which metabolizes quickly), and others. Additionally, sedation is possible using various hypnotics like Midazolam, which can be dosed to eliminate fear and anxiety while leaving the patient somewhat lucid. I would personally recommend the latter.

If that isn't available where you are going, there is still the option of delivering gas via a laryngeal mask (I assume the approach for a sinus endoscopy is nasal, right?) or even a tracheal tube, though the latter is total overkill for such a minor procedure.

Side effects of IV anesthesia or sedation can include drowsiness or lack of concentration. It is recommended that you do not drive or make any major decisions for 24 hours following the procedure.

Teah, I am not sure how things work in America, but here in the US, you have to check in before the procedure to express your preferences. In these types of procedures, an anesthesiologist is present anyway, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Generally speaking, modern anesthesia is very safe; complications are extremely rare. The risk is roughly equivalent to crossing the street on foot.😉

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

stormylynx14

Dear Martine, you are completely mistaken, and I feel compelled to tell you that even as a layperson. Less than four years ago, I underwent surgery under general anesthesia. I woke up without any issues and was discharged home just five hours later. Naturally, I had to return for a follow-up the next morning. I experienced no significant side effects—not even minor ones. That is all.

Gary Jones10,

How can I be entirely mistaken if your "correction" only addresses a fraction of my post?!

Fortunately, I have never undergone general anesthesia myself, but my brother went through it twice. Both times were identical: he was drowsy and hungover all day following the surgery, with lingering lethargy the next day. Why was your experience different? I am unsure; perhaps it depends on the specific gas used or some other factor.

Anyway, a sinus endoscopy isn't actually a surgical procedure; it is a diagnostic tool for the nasal cavity. It only becomes a surgery if a growth is discovered that requires removal, but even then, it isn't complex enough to necessitate general anesthesia.

stormylynx14,

I truly wasn't aware of that regarding intravenous general anesthesia. However, given the current standards of safety, I couldn't agree with you—not if you live in America. While I admit the risk should be minimal, unfortunately, mistakes and oversights happen so frequently here that the risk is far from negligible.

Frank Lee6 said:So, why was your experience different? Maybe it’s the type of gas used, or something else entirely.

I wasn't aware of the specifics regarding IV general anesthesia, but given the current state of medical safety, I can't say I agree with the idea that it's risk-free—at least not if you're living in the US. While the risk should theoretically be minimal, unfortunately, mistakes and oversights happen so frequently here that the danger isn't exactly negligible.

Dear Martine, you are wrong again! What kind of gas are you talking about? It wasn't like I went in for surgery at Auschwitz! I was out in three >s after they gave me an IV.

To be perfectly honest, I am probably the last person who would praise the American healthcare system; we certainly deal with our fair share of negligence. However, when it comes to the anesthesia itself, plenty of my friends and acquaintances have undergone surgery under general anesthesia at least once, and none of them had any notable issues with the drugs themselves.

Then again, there is a significant difference between a relatively healthy young person undergoing general anesthesia and an eighty-year-old man with three chronic conditions. Any competent doctor would naturally avoid general anesthesia in his case.

... July 15th. That’s when I go under the knife. Just four days left. I suppose everyone will start the mourning process before the surgeon even picks up a scalpel. Any support from the sidelines? 😢 🙂

It’s not about guessing, you just have to power through it

Good luck 😉

Man, they really gave me some top-tier stuff... I might just ask them if I can get another round in a month. 😁 :clapping:

I’m wandering through downtown Chicago today, feeling compelled to share my current misery with you all. Here is the situation: it hasn't even been three months since my sinus surgery, and yet, ten months of constant issues have already come rushing back. My doctor actually had the nerve to tell me that the "real status won't be clear until winter," claiming things looked "much better during the procedure than on the X-rays," and even warned that "symptoms might return." Fine—they *might* return. But after only three months? Is he joking? 😠
To make matters worse, things have escalated over the last month. My nose is constantly running, I'm dealing with endless congestion, and getting any sleep at night is a struggle. I am still trying to avoid nasal sprays, though, because I became so dependent on them that they ended up damaging my mucosa. I have a follow-up appointment on January 9th, and it looks like I'll likely be heading back under the knife. This is absolutely maddening. 😢

Gary Jones10,

Have you ever tried inhaling Mentoklar drops? Consistency is key; one shouldn't give up after just a few days.

You should also look for wild burdock in nature—it looks somewhat like a small olive covered in fine hairs. You won't find it in any local grocery stores. Pick a few burdocks and slice them carefully; they tend to "pop" due to internal pressure, scattering seeds everywhere. Dilute the extracted liquid with water at a 1:40 ratio. Use about 2-3 drops per nostril. I suggest having some saline solution nearby just in case, because if the dilution isn't perfect, it stings quite intensely.
This method has been proven more effective than standard nasal sprays. It clears the nasal passages just as well without the risk of dependency.

P.S. Regarding anesthesia: when things go wrong during surgery, side effects are often a secondary concern since the outcome can be fatal. Furthermore, anyone undergoing surgery is inherently unwell, so complications can arise regardless of age. Fortunately, your friends haven't experienced this, but when it happens...😲

Frank Lee6 said:Gary Jones10,

Have you tried inhaling with Mentoklar drops? Persistence is key; don't give up after just two or three days.
It’s proven to be more effective than nasal sprays. It clears the sinus cavity just as well without any risk of addiction.

I've tried that too, but it was useless. I've been struggling with this for nearly two years now. If I had started inhaling before things got this complicated, perhaps it would have actually worked.

Frank Lee6 said:P.S. Regarding anesthesia—when a mistake occurs or complications arise, side effects become a moot point because death usually follows. And when someone requires surgery, they are clearly ill; age shouldn't matter, complications can happen to anyone. Fortunately, none of your friends experienced this, but when it happens... 😲

I have undergone anesthesia several times, both general and local, and never had an issue. However, one must consider the difference between a young person with a healthy heart and lungs versus an eighty-year-old man whose entire system is failing.

For about three or four years, I was a serious addict when it came to nasal sprays like Afrin. Every year, I could manage to sleep without them for a month or two, but the rest of the time, I had to use them before bed because my nose would clog up as soon as I laid down. If I caught a cold, I’d be using them five or six times a day and even waking up in the night to use them for a week straight.

Things hit a breaking point after one particular cold when my nose stayed permanently blocked, making it nearly impossible to function without the spray.
Basically, my tear ducts were almost completely ruined.

Initially, I saw some so-called doctor who tried treating me with "essential oil drops from India" to clear my sinuses. That lasted maybe eight or nine months before the congestion returned, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. 🙂

After doing seven days of Menthol inhalations and using marshmallow root tea drops (which you can find at any local pharmacy), my breathing finally returned to normal. Even when I have a cold now, at least one nostril stays clear. During heavy colds, I just use ExxonMobil sprays for two or three days. No side effects at all, of course.

P.S. Just a quick tangent 😉
You are correct that age makes a significant difference in how someone responds to general anesthesia—whether it's inhaled or IV—and how successful the surgery will be. However, wouldn't you agree that any procedure requiring general anesthesia is a major shock to the system, both physically and mentally? A patient's blood sugar and blood pressure often spike due to anxiety, and the required dosage depends on all those factors, plus age and body type. It is quite easy to make a mistake if the situation isn't handled with absolute responsibility.

In my experience, I have heard of cases where irresponsible doctors caused a patient's death due to overdosing. I also know of instances where surgeries were canceled or postponed entirely by the anesthesiologist, who, as mentioned, holds the final authority over the surgical consent forms.

Frank Lee6 said:In my clinical experience, I've seen cases where negligence led to fatal overdoses. I've also seen surgeries canceled or postponed solely because an anesthesiologist made the call—since, as I mentioned, they hold the final signature on the surgical consent forms.

Here is my final off-topic detour:
First, I find it hard to believe anyone goes under anesthesia just for the fun of it. Second, regardless of the facts, your post feels slightly panicked. Exceptions exist in every profession, including those who don't react well to anesthesia. Personally, I trust modern medicine and our doctors.
By the way, before my sinus endoscopy, the anesthesiologist spent over half an hour talking me through everything, and I had all my pre-op tests completed.