A minimally invasive sinus surgery helps relieve pain and congestion in a matter of hours.
The surgery, which takes about two hours, enlarges the sinus hole from about the size of a pencil tip to about the size of the tip of a pinkie finger.
Dr. Kevin Lunde of Baylor Plano said the surgery improves sinus drainage and minimizes the chance that allergies and viruses will close up the sinus hole. He also said it also allows medications to reach up into the nose where the problems begin.
Lunde said the procedure requires less recovery time that traditional sinus surgery, which can require incisions underneath the cheeks and under the eyes.
The latest version of the surgery, he said, leaves no facial scars or bruising.
Patient Cassandra Hartman said the procedure helped to alleviate chronic sinus congestion and infections.
She said she underwent the surgery on a Friday and had returned to work by the following Monday or Tuesday.
MORE INFORMATION:
Kevin Lunde, M.D. - Ear, Nose and Throat Specialty
Fact Sheet: Sinus Surgery
Story Originally appears on NBC 5 in February 2007.
