Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to restore natural sinus drainage and improve airflow without external incisions.
Our goal is to help you breathe freely again and move away from the cycle of constant congestion. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) represents the gold standard for treating chronic sinus conditions. Unlike older surgical methods that required external cuts FESS is performed entirely through the nose.
Dr Crawford uses an endoscope which is a thin flexible tube with a high-definition camera to see inside the nasal passages. This allows her to precisely remove bone or diseased tissue or polyps that are blocking the natural drainage pathways. The goal is to widen these openings. This is designed to restore ventilation and allow mucus to drain naturally. It also improves the effectiveness of nasal sprays and rinses used after surgery.
Surgery is typically considered when "medical management" has failed. If you have tried antibiotics and steroids and saline rinses without lasting success FESS may be the next step.
Common conditions treated include:
Understanding the process helps reduce anxiety and ensures you are prepared for a smooth recovery.
Most patients go home the same day. You can expect some congestion and bloody discharge and fatigue for the first few days. Pain is usually manageable with over-the-counter medication.
Saline Irrigation is Critical Washing the nose with saltwater (saline) is the most important part of your recovery. It clears away clots and crusts and prevents infection and speeds up healing. Dr Crawford will provide specific instructions on how and when to start this.
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Sinus surgery requires a high degree of precision due to the sinuses' proximity to the eyes and brain. This technical demand drives our approach to care.
Dr Crawford consults at three convenient locations across Sydney.
While your specialist consultations take place at the clinics listed above, the surgical process involves a separate set of mandatory hospital-based appointments. These take place at the facility where your procedure is scheduled, such as St Vincent’s Private Hospital or St George Private Hospital. These appointments are a critical part of the safety protocol for Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS).
If you are struggling with persistent sinus issues that affect your sleep and daily life professional assessment is the first step toward relief.
Dr Julia Crawford consults in Darlinghurst and Kogarah.
Our team can assist with appointment enquiries and help arrange a consultation with Dr Julia Crawford at one of her three Sydney consulting locations:
Dr Julia Crawford consults for head and neck conditions, head and neck cancer, thyroid and salivary gland disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, paediatric ENT and selected general ENT problems.
Her team can assist with arranging an appointment at Darlinghurst, Kogarah or Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, and will help ensure the appropriate information and investigations are available before your consultation.