The sinuses are air chambers either side of the nose and between the eyes. There are four pairs of sinuses the frontal, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid. The lining is designed to produce mucus which helps to keep the nose and throat healthy and moist. If the drainage channels of the sinuses become blocked the mucus can build up and become infected. This leads to congestion of the nose and in some cases increasing blockage and mucus production. Mostly this only happens briefly, for example with a cold. If the symptoms continue for many weeks it may be due to chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis is one of the many causes of snoring. In some patients there are nasal polyps as well as sinusitis. In the first instance it is usual to try treatment with medications such as nose drops and antibiotics. If this is not successful an operation may be required.

When the patient is anaesthetised the nose is examined with an operating telescope. The areas of blockage are then carefully removed using micro instruments. If there are polyps these are removed at the same time. It is not usually a very painful operation. The possible complications are bleeding, infection, bruising around the eye and CSF leak. Serious complications are very rare as a result of this surgery.