Get surgery for chronic sinusitis at Charlottenlund Private Hospital without waiting time.

If you have been suffering from cold symptoms such as facial pressure, a blocked nose, decreased sense of smell, or a runny nose for more than 12 weeks, and saline rinses and nasal sprays with corticosteroids have not relieved your symptoms, you may be eligible for surgery for chronic sinusitis, which can provide quick and lasting relief.

At Charlottenlund Private Hospital, we have advanced, high-tech equipment to perform surgeries for chronic sinusitis. Our ear, nose, and throat doctors are specialized in advanced surgical techniques and have many years of experience with nasal and sinus surgeries. Additionally, all of our surgeons participate in annual continuing education and international courses to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field.


You are welcome to contact us if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

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  • What is chronic sinusitis?

    The sinuses consist of the frontal, ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses, which are cavities in the skull where inflammation can occur. The sinuses are connected to the nose, and during an infection, these drainage passages can become blocked. If the condition lasts longer than 12 weeks, it is referred to as chronic sinusitis.


    The symptoms of chronic sinusitis closely resemble those of a common cold. With chronic sinusitis, you may experience a heavy feeling and congestion around the nose, facial pain, reduced sense of smell, a blocked nose, nasal discharge, and difficulty breathing. This is because the inflammation blocks the passages from the sinuses to the nose. The symptoms can occur on one or both sides of the face.

  • How does chronic sinusitis occur?

    Chronic sinusitis is a common condition affecting approximately 10% of the population. There are many potential causes of the condition, including allergies, narrow sinus passages, a deviated septum, smoking, nasal polyps, and others. In some cases, the cause cannot be identified.


    Acute sinusitis is an acute condition characterized by pain and possibly fever, caused by an infection. It typically occurs in connection with a cold and lasts for a few weeks before resolving. If a person experiences frequent episodes of acute sinusitis, surgery to open the sinuses may be considered to help prevent further occurrences.


    In most cases, acute sinusitis resolves on its own after 7-10 days. However, some individuals may experience persistent inflammation and mucus buildup in the sinuses. If this condition lasts more than 12 weeks, it is considered chronic sinusitis, which requires medical treatment or surgery.

  • Function of the sinuses

    When you press on the forehead, on both sides of the nose, and in the area between the eyes and nose, you might expect the facial bone in these areas to be solid. However, it is not — there is a cavity between the outer and inner sides of the bone. This cavity is called a sinus.


    The exact purpose of the sinuses is not fully understood. Some have suggested that these air-filled cavities reduce the weight of the skull, while others believe that the sinuses act like a crumple zone in a car, helping to protect the brain from trauma to the forehead and nose. It is known that sinus surgery does not affect the resonance of the voice, and the sinuses do not serve any functional role for the nose.

Treatment of chronic sinusitis


In most cases of sinusitis, it is sufficient to rinse the nose with saline daily and use nasal sprays. Treatment with corticosteroid injections can also be used if the condition involves nasal polyps. If none of these treatment methods are effective, surgery is the next step.


Pre-study

Once you have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and are recommended for surgery, you will need to undergo a pre-operative examination. This examination takes place at our private hospital in Charlottenlund, where the doctor will examine your sinuses through a brief endoscopic examination, as well as review the CT scan of your sinuses.


The endoscopic examination can often determine the cause of your chronic sinusitis. For example, is it caused by nasal polyps, enlarged turbinates, a deviated septum, or something else? The doctor can easily determine this using the endoscopic examination and CT scan. If surgery is required for nasal polyps, enlarged turbinates, or a deviated septum, this will be arranged in advance.


The examination will also show if there will be any challenges in accessing the sinuses during the surgery due to the anatomy.


Operation

The surgery for chronic sinusitis is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes about 1.5 hours. The procedure may take longer if surgery is also required for nasal polyps, enlarged turbinates, or a deviated septum.


The goal of the surgery is to create a permanent drainage path from the sinuses to the nose by expanding the natural drainage passages of the sinuses. The surgery is performed through the nostrils using advanced 3D computer navigation equipment, known as the CAS FESS technique. Since no two patients are the same, the method of creating drainage may differ from patient to patient. The approach is determined by the surgeon during the pre-operative consultation.


After the surgery, a short period of sick leave may be necessary, but most patients are ready to return to work within a week.


Advanced surgery and specialized doctors


Since the surgery is performed in a delicate area close to vital structures such as the eyes and brain, it is carried out exclusively by doctors with subspecialization in nasal and sinus diseases. At Charlottenlund Private Hospital, the surgery is performed by specialist and head of clinic Jacob Fisker and specialist, PhD. Kåre Håkansson. Both have performed hundreds of these procedures and participate in congresses and continuing education in nasal and sinus surgery multiple times a year. This ensures that you are treated by experienced and highly skilled professionals.

Book an appointment for treatment of chronic sinusitis


If you suffer from chronic sinusitis and wish to receive treatment with us, you are welcome to contact us. Our secretaries are ready to assist you with any questions and to schedule both the preliminary examination and the surgery.

Book an appointment