Sinus Surgery in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is sinus surgery?
Sinus surgery, usually called endoscopic sinus surgery or FESS, is an operation carried out entirely through the nostrils using a thin telescope with a camera, so the face carries no scars. The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the cheekbones, forehead and between the eyes, and each one drains into the nose through a narrow opening. When those openings stay swollen or are crowded by polyps, mucus collects, infection settles in and the lining stays inflamed.
The operation keeps the sinuses in place. The surgeon widens their natural drainage pathways and clears polyps and diseased tissue, so that air flows in, mucus flows out, and rinses and sprays can reach the lining afterwards. That last point surprises many patients: part of the purpose of surgery is to make ongoing medical treatment work better.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, sinus surgery is performed by the hospital's ENT surgeon, and many patients go home the same day.
Who needs it
Sinus surgery suits adults and older teenagers with chronic sinusitis or nasal polyps whose symptoms continue after a full course of medical treatment. Typical complaints are a blocked nose on both sides, thick discharge or post-nasal drip, facial pressure, a reduced sense of smell and repeated infections that keep returning.
Medical treatment always comes first. Saltwater nasal rinses, a steroid nasal spray to calm the lining, and sometimes tablets to settle inflammation or treat infection are used for several weeks, with the spray technique checked at the clinic. Many people improve enough to stay on this path. For selected patients with blockage in specific sinuses and little or no polyp disease, balloon sinuplasty is a less extensive option. Where a bent septum also blocks the nose, septoplasty is often done in the same operation, and polyps have their own page on nasal polyp treatment.
The decision rests on three things together: your symptoms, what the surgeon sees on endoscopy in the clinic, and a CT scan of the sinuses. The CT is best taken after medical treatment, so that it shows persistent disease rather than a recent cold. It also works as the surgeon's map, showing the thin bone near the eye socket and the base of the skull that each person's anatomy places slightly differently. The wider range of nose and sinus conditions is covered on the Otolaryngology (E.N.T) page.
What happens
Sinus surgery is usually done under general anaesthetic; the anaesthetist discusses the plan with you beforehand. The surgeon passes the endoscope into the nose and works on a screen, opening the blocked channels and removing polyps with fine instruments. Removed tissue is routinely sent to the laboratory for examination.
At the end, the nose may be lined with small dissolvable packs or soft splints to support healing, and a light dressing under the nostrils catches any ooze. Once you are awake, eating and drinking, and the bleeding is settled, you can usually go home with an adult companion.
Preparing for it
Before the operation you have a pre-operative assessment, blood tests and a review of your CT scan with the surgeon. Tell the team about every medicine and supplement you take, since blood thinners and some herbal products increase bleeding and need a specific plan. If you smoke, stopping helps the lining heal.
Your surgeon may prescribe a short course of medicine to calm inflammation before surgery, because a less inflamed lining bleeds less and gives a clearer view. Follow the fasting instructions you are given. If you are planning travel, a flight or fasting in Ramadan, raise it early so the date fits around it. Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you the first night.
Afterwards
Expect a blocked, stuffy nose, some blood-stained discharge and a dull ache for the first days, much like a heavy cold. Saltwater rinses are the centre of recovery: they wash away the crusts that form as the lining heals, and follow-up visits to the clinic allow the surgeon to clean the nose and check progress. Sleep with your head raised, sneeze with your mouth open, and avoid blowing your nose, heavy lifting and flying until your surgeon clears you.
Sharjah's dust and sandstorms irritate a healing nose, so stay indoors on dusty days and keep rinsing. Air conditioning dries the lining; a humidifier in the bedroom and regular rinses help. Medical treatment with sprays usually continues long term, because the underlying tendency to inflammation remains.
Contact the hospital if you develop a fever, worsening facial pain, or thick, foul-smelling discharge. Go to the emergency department straight away for heavy bleeding from the nose that keeps flowing, a severe headache or stiff neck, or swelling around the eye or any change in your vision.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE insurance plans cover endoscopic sinus surgery when it is medically needed, and it almost always requires pre-approval. Insurers usually ask for evidence that medical treatment was tried and for the CT report, so keep records of the rinses and sprays you have used. The CT scan and any septoplasty performed alongside may be approved as separate items. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of sinus surgery?
Sinus surgery carries a small risk of bleeding, infection, scar tissue forming inside the nose and a reaction to the anaesthetic. Rarely, because the sinuses sit close to the eye socket and the base of the skull, injury to these areas can affect vision or cause a leak of the fluid around the brain. Polyps and chronic sinusitis can also return over time, which is why ongoing medical treatment matters. Your surgeon explains how these risks apply to your anatomy before you decide.
Will sinus surgery leave a scar on my face?
Endoscopic sinus surgery leaves no scar on the face, because the whole operation is carried out through the nostrils. Some patients have mild swelling or bruising around the nose for a short time, which settles on its own.
Will sinus surgery bring back my sense of smell?
Sinus surgery often improves the sense of smell when polyps or swelling were blocking air from reaching the smell area at the top of the nose. How much it returns varies, and it can take time; it is less predictable when smell has been absent for many years. Continuing sprays after surgery helps protect any improvement.
Why do I need a CT scan before sinus surgery?
A CT scan is needed before sinus surgery because it shows which sinuses are blocked and maps the thin bone near the eye and skull base for that individual patient. The surgeon uses it to plan the operation and often refers to it during surgery. An X-ray of the sinuses gives far less detail and is rarely used for this purpose.
What is the difference between sinus surgery and balloon sinuplasty?
Endoscopic sinus surgery removes polyps and diseased tissue and opens the drainage channels, while balloon sinuplasty widens selected openings with a small inflated balloon and removes no tissue. Balloon sinuplasty suits a narrower group of patients, usually those with limited disease and no significant polyps. Your surgeon recommends one or the other after reviewing your endoscopy and CT scan.
When can I fly after sinus surgery?
You can usually fly after sinus surgery once your surgeon has checked the nose at a follow-up visit and confirmed that healing is on track. Pressure changes during take-off and landing can cause pain or bleeding in a freshly operated nose, so book flights only after that clearance.
Will my sinus problems come back after surgery?
Sinus problems can come back after surgery, especially in people with nasal polyps, asthma or strong allergies, because surgery improves drainage but leaves the underlying tendency to inflammation. Continuing saltwater rinses and prescribed sprays, and attending follow-up, keeps the lining under control. Where allergy is suspected, testing can be arranged by referral.
Is sinus surgery covered by insurance in the UAE?
Most UAE insurance plans cover endoscopic sinus surgery when medical treatment has been tried and a CT scan confirms persistent disease, but pre-approval is almost always required. Call Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777 to confirm your cover before setting a date.
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