ENT & Sleep
Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery
Minimally invasive sinus surgery opens blocked sinus passages using tiny instruments and a camera, relieving chronic sinusitis, pressure, and recurring infections. It is performed as same-day outpatient care with a faster recovery than traditional surgery.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
45 to 90 minutes
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
Recovery
Same day discharge
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Overview
Chronic sinusitis persists when the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses stay blocked. Endoscopic surgery opens those pathways using a camera and fine instruments passed through the nostrils.
Balloon dilation is used when appropriate to widen an opening without removing tissue.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- Sinus infections that keep returning after antibiotics
- Facial pressure, congestion, and reduced sense of smell
- CT imaging showing persistent sinus disease
- Nasal polyps limiting airflow
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Endoscopic mapping
A high-definition endoscope, often with image guidance, identifies the blocked outflow tracts.
Opening the sinuses
Obstructing tissue or polyps are removed, or a balloon widens the natural opening while preserving the lining.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Saline irrigation several times daily is the most important part of recovery.
Most patients return to work within a week and notice clearer breathing and smell over the first month.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before scheduling.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
Will the sinus problems come back?
Surgery restores drainage; ongoing allergy and inflammation care keeps the result durable.
Are there facial incisions?
No. Everything is done through the nostrils.
Is minimally invasive sinus surgery done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
