Health condition
Sinus surgery: deciding if it's right for you
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) helps the right patients substantially - those with chronic sinusitis or polyps proven on CT who have genuinely exhausted medical therapy - and this guide walks through that decision.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Surgery is considered after maximal medical therapy: months of steroid treatment and saline rinses
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CT evidence of sinus disease is a prerequisite - symptoms alone are not enough
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FESS widens natural drainage pathways endoscopically; no external cuts
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Surgery controls rather than cures polyp disease - sprays and rinses continue afterwards
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
FESS removes obstructing tissue and opens the sinuses' natural drainage channels under endoscopic vision, and its results are best in well-selected patients: persistent infection-pattern chronic rhinosinusitis with obstructed anatomy on CT, or polyp disease with blockage and smell loss resistant to steroids. It is a poor operation for facial pain with a clear scan - much of which is migraine - which is why the work-up matters as much as the surgery.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
The decision pathway runs: confirm diagnosis with endoscopy and CT; complete a genuine trial of medical therapy - daily intranasal steroid correctly used, large-volume rinses, and for polyps often a short oral steroid course; then weigh surgery where disease persists. Modern FESS is a day-case with high satisfaction in the right hands; recovery involves rinses and debridement visits over weeks, and for polyps, biologic injections now offer an alternative for severe disease alongside or instead of repeat surgery. In many parts of the UK, routine NHS referrals for this kind of problem currently take 20-45+ weeks, whereas an initial appointment with a private consultant is typically available within around two weeks.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant ENT surgeon. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Sinus surgery: deciding if it's right for you.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What does sinus surgery mean?
Sinus surgery is a medical condition that can affect people differently depending on severity, underlying cause and overall health. A clinician can confirm the diagnosis and explain what it means specifically for you.
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What are the risk factors for sinus surgery?
Causes vary and can include genetic, environmental, lifestyle and other health-related factors, and in some people no single clear cause is found. Your clinician can help identify anything relevant to your own case.
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What are the symptoms of sinus surgery?
Symptoms vary between individuals and depend on which body systems are affected and how significant the underlying problem is. Keeping track of what you notice, and when, helps your clinician assess it accurately.
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How worried should I be about sinus surgery?
Severity varies from mild and self-limiting to more significant, depending on the underlying cause and how it's managed. A clinical assessment is the best way to understand what it means in your specific situation.
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Is sinus surgery hereditary or genetic?
This depends on the specific condition — some cases have a genetic or familial component, while others are linked more to environmental, lifestyle or other health factors. If you have a relevant family history, it's worth mentioning to your clinician.
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Is there a cure for sinus surgery?
Many cases can be effectively treated or managed, and prevention strategies exist for some causes, though this depends on the specific underlying reason in your case. Your clinician can explain what's realistic for you.
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How is sinus surgery treated?
Treatment is tailored to the underlying cause and severity, and can range from simple lifestyle or self-management measures to medical or specialist intervention.
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What is the long-term outlook for sinus surgery?
This varies depending on the underlying cause, how early it's identified, and how well it responds to treatment — your clinician can give a more specific expectation once assessed.
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When should specialist referral be considered for sinus surgery?
Specialist referral is worth considering if symptoms persist, are getting worse, or aren't responding to initial treatment — your GP can help decide the right pathway and urgency.
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When should I see a doctor about sinus surgery, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
See a doctor if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting your daily life — earlier assessment generally leads to better management. NHS routine referrals for this kind of concern often take 20–45 weeks or longer depending on the area, while a private consultant can typically see you within about 2 weeks, with faster access to scans and specialist opinion.