Berrylin J. Ferguson, M.D. Pittsburgh, PA
This is an acronym for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. When we use telescopes to visualize the small openings of the sinuses and enlarge them, we are hoping to restore function to the sinuses so the patient will have relief of their sinus symptoms. Depending on the cause of the sinusitis and the surgery performed, normal function is not always restored. Some clinicians, therefore, choose to describe sinus surgery using the endoscopes as ESS or endoscopic sinus surgery.
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Peter Hwang, M.D.
Associate Professor and Director
Stanford Sinus Center Stanford, CA
FESS stands for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. "Functional" means that the goal of surgery is to restore the natural clearing function of the sinuses. "Endoscopic sinus surgery" refers to the use of fiberoptic telescopes and small cameras to perform surgery to enlarge the drainage pathways of the sinuses. Because of technological advances, FESS can be performed through the nostrils without the need for facial incisions. FESS is generally performed as an outpatient procedure.
