Surgeon carrying out rigid nasal sinus endoscopy and suction treatment Nasal polyp seen through an endoscope in the right side of the nose. Key:mt = middle turbinate it = inferior turbinate s = nasal septum p = polyp Rigid Nasal Sinus Endoscopy

Updated 26 Jan 2010

This out-patient examination procedure is carried out

  • to diagnose conditions of the nose, sinuses and nasopharynx accurately, using
    • Storz Hopkins rod telescope for magnified view of narrow openings
    • angled lenses to see around corners
    • high power magnification
    • very bright illumination
  • to cary out minor treatments such as
    • removal of blood clots & crusts following nasal surgery
    • sucking out pus from infected sinuses
    • cautery for nosebleeds

Having rigid nasal sinus endoscopy: What to expect

Before the procedurelocal anaesthetic spray applied to nose before flexible fibreoptic nasolaryngoscopy

  • you will normally receive a local anaesthetic spray immediately beforehand
  • the local anaesthetic will taste bitter and you may imagine your throat is swelling up. Don't panic, that is just the local anaesthetic working

During the procedure

  • the instrument will be passed gently through your nose, you will be told exactly what to do during the procedure
  • lie still and breathe through the mouth
  • remember your nose is 4 to 5 inches long

After the procedure

  • don't get up until the nurse says so - you may be dizzy
  • we will normally tell you the result of the examination straight away
  • you should not eat or drink till the local anaesthetic has worn off - about an hour
  • you should be ok to drive after an hour