Chronic sinusitis and recurrent acute sinusitis usually require treatment with medication at an early stage. When medical treatment is not effective or there are anatomical changes that predispose to chronic inflammation, surgical treatment may be necessary. Nowadays, the most used surgical technique is nasosinusal endoscopic surgery.
An optic with transmission under vision in high definition is used and the procedures are performed inside the nose without any scar on the skin. Postoperatively, only a biodegradable tamponade is placed (like a sponge that falls apart) making the surgery very comfortable for the patient. There are often changes in the nasal septum that are also corrected during the same surgical procedure (see septoplasty).
One speaks of rhinitis when there is an inflammation/increase of the inferior turbinates (structures present on the lateral wall of the nose). There are several causes for rhinitis, the most common of which is allergic rhinitis. Like sinusitis, rhinitis, as a rule, can be treated medically, with antihistamines, nasal corticotherapy, shower with saline water, specific immunotherapy, etc…) When the results with medical treatment are insufficient, surgery appears as a alternative.
It can be isolated, involving the inferior turbinates or associated with surgery to correct the nasal septum or sinusitis (see septoplasty). There are multiple techniques to reduce the size of inferior turbinates. However, the one I use most in my practice is the reduction of the lower turbinates using radiofrequency. This surgery can be performed with sedation and on an outpatient basis, both in children and adults.
This short theoretical summary has the main objective of informing that functional nose surgery, for the treatment of sinusitis and/or rhinitis, can be performed alone, as well as simultaneously with rhinoplasty, thus joining the aesthetic component to the functional component, in the same surgical time.