Why would sinus surgery result in a massive sinus infection?

@phxbarb - your nose and sinuses are an ever changing organ system. We all have good bacteria in our nasal and sinus cavity that protect us daily.

Nose is your first line of defense to the world. Constantly working in the background without you knowing.

ENTs are surgeons. Only about 1% of patients that ever enter an ENT clinic should ever be recommended surgery.

Most sinus “infections” are simply inflammation that needs to be reduced. The nose is only doing its job by reacting with inflammation.

In saying all of that, I have a very poor view of ENTs. My personal opinion (doesn’t mean it’s correct) is that ENTs have been taught falsely in med school about surgery for “sinusitis”. It only became a big thing in the 80’s and on when smaller tools were made to fit in noses/sinuses. So one new way for ENTs to make money.

They never truly know what they are going after. The only surgery I know of that removed tissue that the immune system is triggering to be inflammed. If root cause is not addressed, no amount of dissecting cutting etc…can “cure” anything.

There motto is “we make the sinuse opening bigger for topical therapy to flow inside”. Sorry nice try, the human skull developed with millimeter size sinus openings for a reason. No one’s sinuses need to be a quarter size and certainly no one’s nasal passages need to be manipulated wider.

Sorry you are experiencing this. Far too many people have experienced the same, yet no one is ever made aware except through forums such as this.

Soon enough these surgeries will be band as they are simply a money grab based off poor poor outdated unfounded teachings.

@nrd1 Couldn't agree more. Especially the place I went was a sinus in and out, rushed and only saw PA. Never talked to the doctor, if he really is one. I was really dumb; so unlike my usual personality that researches every little thing. The place should be shut down, yet it survives with fake positive reviews. I hope this passes but I doubt it will.

@phxbarb
You had sinus surgery. With any surgery there is chance of infections? Was your infection caused by developing it from the surgery contamination?

I had 2 sinus surgeries. One was to remove polyps that were blocking my sinuses. Then I started (2 years later) getting sinus infections again. The second surgery was to open my sinus drainage so would not block up. That stop the sinus infection but caused tremendous nasal drainage down my throat and out my nose.

But I will take that versus sinus infections. For me sinus infections felt like having the flu.

@jc76 That's just it, I don't know where this major infection came from. I thought the surgery would prevent these constant infections in my sinuses, so now I don't know.
I do breathe better at night for sure so that's one good thing.

@phxbarb
Right after sinus surgery (I had two) your sinus passages and areas surgery done on are going to swell. That can keep sinuses from draining and led to an infection.

I think but just from my own experience once your sinuses recovery from surgery your sinus infections will improve. Mine did dramatically.

As I mentioned every surgery I have and had had at Mayo Jacksonville the surgeons has told me there major concern is infection.

@phxbarb - sorry to hear of your experience/suffering.

I understand what you are explaining. The PA does a quick overview of your CT, which I’m sure was done on site there in their clinic. Another money maker for them.

Was this the balloon procedure in clinic under local anesthesia or was this in the OR under general?

Were you advised on any continuous topical therapy for a minimum of 5-6 weeks to see if any improvement?
How often were your infections per year?
Any allergy testing prior to your procedure/surgery?

And just remember every persons situation is different on here who will give you replies, so it’s very important to be clear what kind surgery you had.

The reason for me to ask details is to also give people the right information whom are reading these post for understanding/advice.

Just trying to help.

@nrd1 It was the balloon sinus surgery done with local anesthetic only. I was not advised as to following surgery except for sinus rinses daily which I did. I had at least 4 infections per year using antibiotics which doctors were not happy about using each time. Yes, I had allergy tests. Yes I knew what I was allergic to, so many things impossible to manage. I never met the "surgeon". I was half asleep when he started on me. He left after it was done, not saying anything. A very weird type of surgery, but then, I had nothing to compare it to.

@jc76 Obviously you were prepared before and after. I was not. No one mentioned possible infection. No one mentioned anything. You had a better doctor and service than I did, for sure.

@phxbarb for years I had sinus infections and migraines. Found I had a botched root canal on upper back tooth when I had a root canal done on tooth next to it. For a year my dentist told me it's no problem because that infection never leaves that tooth area. After migraines increased to constant. I found a dentist surgeon to remove that tooth. Walked out of that surgery and my vision greatly improved and migraine gone. Migraine returned but gradually decreased. Could breath through that side of nose finally, and never blocks now no matter how bad my cold is. Was a bit of a miracle to me. That years of seeing ENTs they never pay attention to tooth roots that are actually touching your sinus..... My miracle is just a thought.

@taml YES !! Thank you. I have wondered about this because of the back teeth I have that never seemed right. But finding a dentist who would look at it objectively is hard here. I know the root can touch the sinus and a good dentist would be able to explore that possibility. Thanks for your post.