Restore easier breathing with endoscopic sinus surgery, which treats chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and blockage by gently opening your sinuses to improve drainage. Dr. Ryan E. Stern, MD, our board-certified rhinologist, helps you breathe freely again.
Restore Natural Sinus Drainage and Airflow
Sinus surgery is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic sinusitis, recurring sinus infections, nasal polyps, and blocked sinus passages that don’t respond to medication. For patients considering sinus surgery in Federal Way or Auburn, WA, endoscopic cameras are placed gently through the nose so the surgeon can remove inflamed tissue, polyps, or bone and open the natural sinus pathways. This allows mucus to drain normally and air to flow more freely. The goal is long-term relief from congestion, pressure, infections, and breathing problems without the need for external incisions.
What Does Sinus Surgery Treat?
Sinus surgery is used when sinus problems don’t improve with medications like antibiotics, nasal sprays, or allergy care. Chronic inflammation, recurrent infections, structural blockages, or nasal polyps can prevent the sinuses from draining properly. By opening the sinus pathways and removing diseased tissue, surgery helps restore normal airflow and drainage.
Sinus surgery can help relieve symptoms such as:
- Chronic nasal congestion or blockage
- Repeated or long-lasting sinus infections
- Facial pressure or pain
- Thick nasal drainage or post-nasal drip
- Reduced or lost sense of smell
- Headaches related to sinus pressure
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
Key Benefits of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Endoscopic sinus surgery treats the source of chronic sinus problems while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Using advanced cameras and specialized instruments, this approach enables precise treatment with less disruption to your nose.
Key advantages include:
- No external incisions or visible scarring
- Improved sinus drainage and airflow
- Reduced frequency and severity of sinus infections
- Targeted removal of inflamed tissue or nasal polyps
- Faster recovery compared to traditional surgery
- Long-term relief from congestion and facial pressure
Your Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Experience
Your experience begins with a thorough consultation with Dr. Stern, during which you discuss your symptoms, prior treatments, and your goals for relief. You’ll undergo nasal endoscopy and often CT imaging so Dr. Stern can see where inflammation, polyps, or blockage are occurring. He takes time to explain what’s causing your symptoms, whether surgery is appropriate, and which sinus pathways need to be addressed to improve drainage and airflow.
On the day of surgery, sinus surgery in Federal Way or Auburn, WA is performed endoscopically through the nostrils, without external incisions. Using high-definition cameras and specialized instruments, Dr. Stern carefully removes inflamed tissue, polyps, or bone and opens the sinus openings. The sinuses are rinsed to clear trapped mucus and bacteria. In some cases, a PROPEL® sinus implant is placed during surgery to deliver localized steroid medication and reduce inflammation during recovery.
Results From Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Many patients notice improvements once the initial swelling subsides, often within the first few weeks after surgery. As healing progresses and the sinuses open, breathing becomes easier, drainage improves, and facial pressure decreases. Follow-up visits allow for gentle cleaning of the sinuses, which helps speed healing and optimize early results.
The results from endoscopic sinus surgery are long-lasting, especially when combined with proper medical management. With ongoing care, many patients experience fewer sinus infections, improved breathing, and sustained relief for years.
Why Choose Dr. Stern?
Dr. Ryan E. Stern is a board-certified otolaryngologist and subspecialty-trained rhinologist with more than 25 years of experience treating complex sinus conditions. For nearly 30 years, he has cared for patients across the Pacific Northwest with a strong focus on minimally invasive approaches to sinus surgery in Auburn or Federal Way, WA. Dr. Stern uses endoscopic techniques to reduce downtime and support faster recovery whenever possible. If you’re considering sinus surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stern today.
