MEDICAL TREATMENT OF THE NOSE & SINUSES FROM AN ENT AND RHINOLOGY SPECIALIST
General Rhinology
Rhinology is a medical subspecialty of otolaryngology concerned with treating disorders related to the nose, sinuses, and skull base regions. This area of medicine is the focal point of an otolaryngologist, an ENT doctor.
Florian Bast is an ENT, facial plastic surgeon, and a leading expert in diagnosing and treating these disorders across some of London’s most prestigious hospitals.
Which medical concerns can be addressed using Rhinology?
CONDITIONS
Nose bleeds
Nasal polyps
Nose surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Allergies
Benign and malignant growths
Eustachian tube dysfunction
Chronic rhinosinusitis
Problems with sense of smell
MR FLORIAN BAST MD FRCS ENT AND FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON
What are the Rhinology treatments that I offer?
As an ENT surgeon, Rhinologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon I offer a range of Rhinology treatments including:
Septoplasty/Septorhinoplasty
Endoscopic sinus surgery
Eustachian tube dilation
Balloon sinuplasty
HARLEY STREET, LONDON
A World Leading ENT & Facial Plastic Surgeon
RHINOLOGY TREATMENTS I OFFER
Septoplasty/
Septorhinoplasty
Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities for several weeks post-surgery and should take care when blowing their nose or engaging in activities that could impact the nose.
What are the risks of Septoplasty/Septorhinoplasty?
Risks include bleeding, infection, nasal blockage caused by swelling or poor healing, alterations in the sense of smell, and rare cases, a perforation of the septum. In Septorhinoplasty, there is also the risk of dissatisfaction with aesthetic outcomes.
How much does a Septoplasty/Septorhinoplasty cost?
A Septoplasty procedure starts from £5200. you can find out more about Mr Bast’s prices on the pricing page or contact me.
What is Septoplasty/Septorhinoplasty?
Septoplasty and Septorhinoplasty are surgical procedures designed to correct problems with the nasal septum, the partition between the two nasal cavities. Septoplasty targets the straightening of the nasal septum only, making it primarily a functional surgery. Septorhinoplasty combines the elements of Septoplasty with Rhinoplasty, which is cosmetic, to adjust the nose's appearance while correcting any internal issues.
When might you need Septoplasty/Septorhinoplasty?
You might consider Septoplasty or Septorhinoplasty if you have a deviated septum that causes problems such as difficulty breathing, chronic sinus infections, or nasal congestion. Additionally, if you are looking to improve the appearance of your nose along with correcting these internal issues, Septorhinoplasty could be appropriate.
A deviated septum occurs when the nasal septum is significantly displaced, making one nasal passage smaller than the other, which can lead to poor drainage and buildup of mucus, subsequently causing recurrent sinus infections.
How is Septoplasty/Septorhinoplasty performed?
During Septoplasty, the surgeon makes a small incision inside the nose to access the septum. They then reposition and sometimes remove parts of the bone or cartilage that are causing the blockage. In Septorhinoplasty, additional adjustments to the shape of the nose are made, which might include reshaping the nasal tip or reducing the overall size of the nose.
These procedures are typically done under general anaesthesia, and depending on the complexity, they can take between 1 to 3 hours to complete.
What is the recovery process from Septoplasty/Septorhinoplasty?
After the surgery, you will likely experience some swelling and bruising around the nose and under the eyes. Splints and internal tubes might be used to support the new septum alignment and are usually removed within a week. Most patients return to work and normal activities within 7-10 days, but complete healing and final results might take up to a year to fully manifest.
Interested in discussing your nasal health concerns with Mr Florian Bast ENT?
RHINOLOGY TREATMENTS I OFFER
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
What is the recovery process from functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
You’ll spend some time in a recovery room where your condition will be monitored. You will also need someone to drive you home after the procedure and stay with you for the first night.
As you are recovering I would advise you to avoid blowing your nose for 7 days after the procedure and avoid strenuous activity for 10 days after surgery.
What are the risks of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
Some of the risks associated with endoscopic surgery include nose bleeding, tearing up of the eyes, and losing sense of smell in some cases.
How much does an Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
A Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery starts from £6594. You can find out more about Mr Bast’s prices on the pricing page or contact me.
What is the recovery process from Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) is minimally invasive and is used only on more serious sinus conditions. During the procedure, I would use a nasal endoscope to ease your sinus issues. This does not involve making any incisions.
When might you need Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
There are several different reasons you may consider ESS, including chronic sinus inflammation, and chronic sinus infections like sinusitis and nasal polyps that have not improved using conservative management strategies including nasal corticosteroids and saline nasal douches.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis, with or without nasal polyps, arises from a complex interplay of factors that lead to inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. Here are some of the causes and contributing factors:
Allergic Reactions: Allergies can trigger inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages and sinuses, leading to chronic Rhinosinusitis.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke, pollutants, or occupational chemicals can contribute to chronic inflammation of the sinuses.
Infections: Repeated or unresolved viral, bacterial, or fungal infections can cause or exacerbate sinus inflammation.
Immune System Disorders: Conditions that affect the immune system, such as cystic fibrosis or immunodeficiency disorders, can predispose individuals to chronic sinus infections.
Structural Abnormalities: Deviated septum, narrow sinus passages, or other anatomical issues can obstruct sinus drainage, leading to chronic inflammation.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke, pollutants, or occupational chemicals can contribute to chronic inflammation of the sinuses.
Asthma and Aspirin Sensitivity: Asthma and sensitivity to aspirin or other NSAIDs can be linked to chronic Rhinosinusitis, particularly in forms associated with nasal polyps.
Managing chronic Rhinosinusitis often requires addressing these underlying factors, using a combination of medication, lifestyle adjustments, and sometimes surgical intervention to improve sinus drainage and reduce inflammation.
How is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery performed?
Within this surgery, I will use a decongestant to help relieve any congestion in your nasal passages. I will then inject a numbing solution into your nose and perform an endoscopy which I can then pass tools down to help me remove nasal polyps, unwanted tissue, or bone that may be causing blockages in the nasal passages and sinuses.
On average the procedure will take around 2 hours to complete.
Interested in discussing your sinus concerns with Mr Florian Bast ENT?
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RHINOLOGY TREATMENTS I OFFER
Eustachian Tube Dilation
What is the recovery process?
The procedure has minimal recovery time, patients can typically return to work within a few days. Some patients may experience discomfort and congestion but there should not be swelling or bruising. Discomfort can be helped using postoperative nasal sprays.
Around a week after the procedure, I may suggest you start doing a Valsalva maneuver which is a simple exercise where you hold your nose, close your mouth, and blow. This helps to relieve pressure and help with the remodeling of the tube.
What are the risks associated with Eustachian Tube Dilation?
As with any procedure, there are some risks involved. These include nose bleeds, infection, trauma to the Eustachian tube, over-opening of the Eustachian tube, and lack of symptom improvement.
What are Eustachian tubes?
Eustachian tubes are small tubes that run between the middle ears and the post-nasal space. They are responsible for equalising ear pressure along with draining and protecting the middle ear. The Eustachian tubes are usually closed except when chewing, swallowing, or yawning.
These passageways are tiny in size and can become plugged for various reasons. Blocked Eustachian tubes can cause pain, hearing difficulties, a feeling of fullness in the ears, dizziness, popping sounds, and tinnitus. Such a phenomenon is referred to as Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD).
How common is ETD and how long does it last?
ETD is a relatively common condition. Depending on the cause, it may be resolved independently or through simple at-home treatment measures. Severe, recurring, and chronic cases may require a visit to the doctor.
The length of time that ETD symptoms last depends on the initial cause. Symptoms from altitude changes, for example, may resolve once you return to the altitude with which you are acclimatised. In contrast, illness and other causes of ETD may result in longer-lasting symptoms.
What can cause Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
The most common causes of ETD are allergies, chronic rhinosinusitis, and the common cold. These conditions may cause your Eustachian tubes to be inflamed or clogged with mucus.
Activities such as traveling at high altitudes, flying on a plane, scuba diving, and simply taking an elevator or riding the underground train, all of which involve a change in altitude, may elicit symptoms of ETD.
How can an ENT treat Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
Endoscopic balloon dilation for ETD is the first technique that truly treats the cause of the symptoms experienced, and recent studies have demonstrated superior symptom improvement compared with medical treatment (0% complication rate).
What happens during the procedure?
Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation is a simple, safe, and effective procedure. During the procedure, the device is guided through your nasal passageway. When it reaches the Eustachian tube which opens at the back of the nose the balloon is then inserted and inflated to dilate the blocked tube.
Interested in discussing Eustachian Tube Dysfunction with Mr Florian Bast ENT?
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RHINOLOGY TREATMENTS I OFFER
Sinus Concerns and Barosinusitis
What is the recovery process?
After the procedure, you may experience mild discomfort in the nasal area which can be relieved through over-the-counter pain medication. It is also possible you may experience nasal drainage which might contain a little blood. You can rinse with saline to help with infection.
What are the risks of balloon sinus dilation?
You may experience nose bleeds or possible infection after the procedure.
What is Barosinusitis?
Barotrauma of the paranasal sinuses is a risk factor for anyone exposed to ambient pressure changes. These pressure changes most often result from travel through mountainous regions, flying, or diving. Barosinusitis is characterised by inflammation of one or more of the paranasal sinuses. Inflammation is caused by a pressure gradient, almost always negative, between the sinus cavity and the surrounding ambient environment.
How can an ENT treat Barosinusitis?
Balloon sinus dilation is a minimally invasive technique for selected patients with chronic Rhinosinusitis and Barosinusitis.
The aims of balloon sinus dilation are:
To provide relief from uncomfortable and painful, mainly pressure-induced, sinusitis symptoms
To unblock sinuses without invasive surgery
What happens during the procedure?
The treatment may be performed under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic and possibly sedation by an ENT surgeon.
Tiny balloons are carefully directed into the blocked sinus openings.
Once the correct position is confirmed, the balloon is inflated to high pressures to stretch the narrow channels. The whole procedure takes only a few minutes.
Interested in discussing your sinus concerns with Mr Florian Bast ENT?
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Mr Florian Bast offers ENT and facial plastic surgery at a variety of hospitals in London, England. These include: Rhinology at Cromwell Hospital, London; Rhinology at Cadogan Clinic, London; Balloon sinus dilation at The Lister Hospital, London; Endoscopic balloon dilation at Weymouth Street Hospital, London; Rhinology at Guys Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital, London; ENT services at 25 & 9 Harley Street, London; Rhinology at Sydney Street Diagnostics Centre, London.