Middle meatotomy
What is a middle meatotomy?
To improve drainage of the facial sinuses, a surgical procedure called middle meatotomy involves enlarging the natural drainage opening of the maxillary sinus called the maxillary ostium. The procedure involves opening the maxillary sinus and opening the nasal cavity under general anesthesia. After the failure of various medical treatments, middle meatotomy is usually used to treat maxillary sinusitis. This is an effective procedure that leaves no scars.
What are the goals of surgery?
The objectives of middle meatotomy are:
Improvement of sinus drainage: The main goal of middle meatotomy is to improve drainage of the sinuses of the face by enlarging the natural drainage opening of the maxillary sinus, also known as the maxillary ostium.
The treatment of maxillary sinusitis is as follows: After the failure of various medical treatments, middle meatotomy is usually used to treat maxillary sinusitis.
Symptom reduction: Symptoms of maxillary sinusitis, such as pain, nasal congestion and headaches , can be reduced by a middle meatotomy.
Prevention of complications: Middle meatotomy can help prevent complications of maxillary sinusitis, such as spread of the infection to other parts of the body.
What are the indications for a middle meatotomy?
The following conditions may require a middle meatotomy:
Maxillary sinusitis: After failure of various medical treatments, middle meatotomy is usually used to treat maxillary sinusitis.
Nasal polyps: To treat nasal polyps, which are benign growths that develop in the nasal cavities, a meatotomy average can be achieved.
Persistent infections: Persistent facial sinus infections can be treated by middle meatotomy.
Tumors: Facial sinus tumors can be treated by middle meatotomy.
Nasal obstruction: To treat nasal obstruction caused by a deviation of the nasal septum, a middle meatotomy can be performed .
Facial pain: To treat persistent facial pain, a middle meatotomy may be performed.
How does the surgery take place?
Middle meatotomy is a common and generally benign surgical procedure. A typical meatotomy proceeds as follows:
The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia.
The incision is made inside the nose.
Opening of the maxillary sinus: During the operation, the surgeon opens the maxillary sinus and places it in the nasal cavity .
The surgeon can treat the condition, such as maxillary sinusitis, during the procedure.
Wicking: To absorb blood flow, wicking is put in place for approximately 24 hours.
Antibiotic treatment: It is necessary to follow an antibiotic treatment which lasts a few days.
What is the duration of the intervention?
Several factors determine the average meatotomy procedure time, including the complexity of the procedure and how quickly the patient heals. However, middle meatotomy is a common and generally benign surgical procedure. According to research findings, The surgical procedure generally lasts between one and one and a half hours.
What are the surgical consequences?
The following elements can be surgical consequences of middle meatotomy:
Nose care: for 15 days, patients must receive sea water nose care with a nasal disinfectant three times a day.
Nasal tamponade involves inserting a piece of Merocel into one or both nostrils for a period of 24 hours .
Antibiotic treatment: It is necessary to follow an antibiotic treatment which lasts a few days.
Meatotomy is generally performed on an outpatient basis, without hospitalization of the patient.
Convalescence time: It can take between one and three months for healing to be complete.
After the procedure, patients should rest for about a week.
During the recovery period, patients should watch for bleeding from the nose or throat.
Nose washes should be carried out with physiological serum.
Analgesics: To relieve pain, analgesic medications may be prescribed.
Complications: Patients should watch for signs of complications such as heavy bleeding, fever, or infection.
What are the advantages ?
The benefits of middle meatotomy include:
The procedure that is not as invasive: Middle meatotomy does not require external incisions, making it makes it less invasive than traditional sinus surgery.
Shorter recovery time: Patients who undergo middle meatotomy can recover more quickly than those who undergo conventional surgery sinuses.
Less pain: A typical meatotomy can reduce patients' pain compared to conventional sinus surgery.
Less bleeding: Unlike a conventional meatotomy, patients may experience less bleeding after surgery.
By using an endoscope, surgeons can better visualize the operated area.
Middle meatotomy is a rapid procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis.
Effectiveness: To treat maxillary sinusitis, nasal polyps, chronic infections and facial sinus tumors, Middle meatotomy is an effective intervention.
What are the risks ?
Although the risks associated with a middle meatotomy are generally low, the following risks may be present:
Hemorrhage: Although there may be a small amount of hemorrhage, it usually yields quickly to compression.
Tears: Irritation of the tear ducts can cause tears.
Emphysema: A rupture of the nasal mucosa can cause emphysema.
After the procedure, there is a risk of infection, but it is usually low.
Pain: After the procedure, patients may feel some pain, but this can be alleviated by pain medication .
After the procedure, patients may experience nasal congestion, which is usually temporary.
Temporary loss of smell: After the procedure, patients may experience a temporary loss of smell, but it is generally reversible.
Damage to surrounding structures: There is a risk of damage to surrounding structures, such as the optic nerves or the meninges.
There is a risk of complications related to anesthesia, just as with any surgical procedure.
Recurrence: The treated pathology may recur.
How does recovery work and how long does it last?
A patient's recovery after a meatotomy may vary depending on the disease being treated and the specifics of each patient. Nevertheless, here are some general characteristics of recovery after a typical meatotomy:
Postoperative care: Patients should follow the doctor's instructions for postoperative care, which may include washing the nose with physiological serum.
Recovery time: It may take between one and three months for healing to be complete.
After the procedure, patients should rest for about a week.
During the recovery period, patients should watch for bleeding from the nose or throat.
Nose washes should be carried out with physiological serum.
Analgesics: To relieve pain, analgesic medications may be prescribed.
Complications: Patients should watch for signs of complications such as heavy bleeding, fever, or infection.
It is important to note that recovery after meatotomy can vary depending on the pathology treated and the specificities of each patient. To facilitate healing and reduce the risk of complications, patients should follow the doctor's instructions for postoperative care.