Close Button

What is FESS surgery?

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (also known as FESS) is a minimally invasive procedure carried out to treat some of the causes of chronically blocked sinuses (also known as sinusitis) and sinus colds.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery can help reduce the frequency of sinus infections, clear your nasal passages, improve breathing and improve your sense of smell. As a result, it positively impacts your well-being – especially if you’ve been struggling with sinus problems for a long time.

View our ear, nose and throat (ENT) treatments and services here for more information and for answers to the most frequently asked questions.



How much does FESS surgery cost?

View our self-pay treatment prices and discounts for Benenden Health members below.

Take advantage of payment plans through our trusted partner, Chrysalis, and spread the cost of your treatment. Fit your repayments into your monthly budget rather than having to find the full cost at the time of your treatment.

Procedure type
Initial consultation price
Treatment price*
Monthly cost**
Member discount
FESS
£195
From £5,650
From £136.61
10%
FESS
Initial consultation price
£195

Treatment price*
From £5,650

Monthly cost**
From £136.61

Member discount
10%

I have a question about sinus infection treatment or FESS as a sinusitis treatment

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis (or rhinosinusitis) is a common condition in which the linings of the sinuses (the cavities behind your nose, cheekbones and forehead) become infected and inflamed.

Your sinuses are small, air-filled cavities which are located at the front of the skull behind your cheekbones and forehead and are connected to the inside of your nose. The sinuses produce mucus which usually drains into your nose through small channels. If you have sinusitis, the lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed and swollen, causing symptoms including pain, a blocked nose, a reduced sense of smell or a discharge.

What causes sinusitis?

There are two main types of sinusitis:

Acute sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is usually caused by an allergy, bacterial or viral infection and may occur immediately after a cold. It usually clears up on its own, within two or three weeks without any treatment.

Chronic sinusitis

This sometimes begins as acute sinusitis which doesn’t improve within a few weeks. It can also be caused when the structure of your sinuses is not quite right, or perhaps nasal polyps are blocking them and preventing them from draining correctly. Depending on the exact cause of your condition, nasal surgery may be recommended as a chronic sinusitis treatment.

What are the main sinusitis symptoms?

Sinusitis causes a blocked nose with a discharge which can be green or yellow. There may be pain or tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead, and you may have a fever. You may also have toothache, bad breath (halitosis) and a reduced sense of smell.

Symptoms can include:

  • A sinus headache - you can identify this with some common sinus headache symptoms such as pain and tenderness around the eyes, achy feeling in the face and worsening of symptoms when lying down
  • Pain/tenderness around cheeks or forehead
  • Nasal congestion symptoms such as a blocked nose
  • A discharge from your nose (may be yellow or green)
  • A fever
  • Toothache
  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • Ear congestion
  • A reduced sense of smell

How is sinusitis diagnosed?

Your doctor will be able to diagnose sinusitis after discussing your symptoms and examining the inside of your nose. If you meet many of the sinus infection symptoms you may be recommended to see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for further tests and diagnosis and sinusitis treatment, including FESS surgery.

What is FESS surgery?

FESS is a minimally invasive surgery carried out to treat some of the causes of chronically blocked sinuses.

What happens before a sinus operation?

Your Consultant will tell you how long you should avoid eating and drinking beforehand. Before the FESS operation, you’ll be given a nasal spray to reduce the thickness of the lining in your nose.

What happens during a sinus operation?

During your FESS surgery, a thin endoscope will be inserted into your nose to help your surgeon see into your sinuses and insert small surgical instruments. There’s no need to make any incisions on the outside of your nose.

The surgery may involve removing any tissue, such as nasal polyps, that’s blocking your sinus.

FESS surgery is normally performed under a general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be asleep during the operation. You’ll be able to go home the same day, but you should arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital.

How long is FESS surgery?

The operation can take between one and two hours, making it a fairly quick procedure. It’s rare that you’d have to stay in hospital overnight.

Is FESS surgery safe?

Like all surgery, FESS comes with a few risks, however these are rare, and most studies report an 80%-90% success rate, meaning the risk is almost always worth the procedure.

Your Consultant will guide you through the risks as part of the consent process.

What comes out of the nose after sinus surgery?

You will most likely experience drainage from the nose after the surgery. You may have some bleeding which is nothing to worry about. This may continue over the week; however, you’ll be provided with padding or gauze to absorb it.

What should I expect from FESS surgery recovery?

After the surgery you may have packing inserted into your nose to stop any bleeding. This should be removed the following morning. If your nose starts bleeding again, you should pinch the soft part of the nose, apply an ice pack and rest.

You’ll need to avoid blowing your nose hard for a few days, but gentle sniffing will do no harm. A nasal spray may help clear your nasal passages.

You may need a few days off work and strenuous exercise should be avoided for a week or two.

Is sinus surgery permanent?

Some cases may require you to return in a few years, as tissue can grow back. However, this isn’t always the case, and the surgery allows your airways to open and become clearer.

Treatments for a blocked nose at Benenden Hospital

The symptoms of a blocked nose can have a frustrating and significant negative effect on your quality of life, but if investigated and treated early, can often be easily and rapidly cured without the need for surgery.

Consultant ENT Surgeon, Mr Bertram Fu, discusses our range of self-pay ENT treatments. 

Our ENT Consultants

Mr Balfour

Alistair Balfour

Consultant ENT Surgeon

Mr Balfour's specialties include thyroid surgery, head and neck surgery and rhinology.

Mr Vikram Dhar

Vikram Dhar

Consultant ENT Surgeon

Mr Dhar is a specialist ENT Consultant at Benenden Hospital

Mr Fu

Bertram Fu

Consultant ENT Surgeon

Mr Fu is a qualified Rhinologist with a special interest in nasal and sinus conditions. His specialities include otolaryngology and rhinology.

Mr Craig Hickson

Craig Hickson

Consultant ENT Surgeon

Mr Hickson's clinical interests include balance, middle ear disease, tumours of the throat, and surgical methods.

Mr Robert Hone, ENT Consultant

Robert Hone

Consultant ENT Surgeon

Mr Robert Hone is a ENT Consultant at Benenden Hospital

Mr Sharp

Henry Sharp

Consultant ENT Surgeon

Mr Sharp's specialties include rhinology and non-cosmetic nasal plastic surgery.

Mr Christopher Theokli

Christopher Theokli

Consultant ENT/Head and Neck Surgeon

Mr Theokli is an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist with over 10 years of experience working in this field.

Contact us about FESS surgery

It's easy to find out more about treatment by giving us a call or completing our enquiry form.