SINUSITIS & NASAL POLYPS
Chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps and persistent nasal blockage have a huge impact on people's quality of life. Mr Oliver Dale offers fast, expert assessment and treatment for people with sinus problems at The Spire Hospital in Bristol. He offers a tailored approach to treatment with options including endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), nasal polypectomy and septoplasty.
WHAT IS SINUSITIS?
Sinusitis is inflammation of the lining of the sinuses — the air-filled spaces within the bones around the nose and eyes — most often triggered by a viral infection, allergy, or nasal polyps. Acute sinusitis typically follows a cold and settles within two to three weeks, while chronic sinusitis is diagnosed when symptoms such as nasal blockage, facial pain or pressure, thick nasal discharge, or a reduced sense of smell persist for twelve weeks or more. Chronic sinusitis can significantly affect day-to-day quality of life, and often needs more than medical treatment alone to resolve.
HOW IS SINUSITIS TREATED?
Treatment usually begins with medical management: a steroid nasal spray, saline nasal rinses, and, where there's evidence of infection or significant polyps, a course of antibiotics or oral steroids. Most cases of acute sinusitis respond well to this approach alone. When chronic sinusitis doesn't settle despite an adequate trial of medical treatment, or where a CT scan shows significant polyps or an anatomical blockage, surgery — most commonly endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) — is considered, to open the sinus drainage pathways and allow the sinuses to heal.
WHEN IS SINUS SURGERY NEEDED?
Sinus surgery is usually considered when medical treatment (nasal sprays, rinses, antibiotics or antihistamines) hasn't controlled your symptoms. Common signs that surgery may help include:
-
A persistently blocked or congested nose, on one or both sides
-
Thick nasal discharge or discharge running down the back of the throat (post-nasal drip)
-
Facial pain or pressure, particularly around the eyes, cheeks or forehead
-
Reduced or lost sense of smell
-
Recurrent sinus infections, or one infection that never fully clears
-
Known nasal polyps on a previous scan or examination
An initial consultation with Mr Dale will include a detailed history and a nasal endoscopy — a thin, flexible telescope used to examine the inside of the nose and sinuses in clinic. In most cases a CT scan of the sinuses is also arranged to map out the anatomy and confirm the diagnosis before any surgery is planned.
PRIVATE SINUS SURGERY IN BRISTOL
WHAT IS ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY?
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery is the standard modern approach to sinus surgery. It's performed entirely through the nostrils using a telescope and fine instruments — there are no external cuts or visible scars. The aim is to widen the natural drainage openings of the affected sinuses, remove any nasal polyps, and allow the sinuses to drain and heal properly, often making nasal sprays far more effective afterwards.
The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic and typically takes around 60 minutes, depending on how many sinuses are involved. Dissolvable packing is usually placed in the nose at the end of the procedure to help control bleeding, and the great majority of patients go home the same day.
RISKS AND POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
As with any operation, sinus surgery carries some risk, though serious complications are uncommon. These can include bleeding, infection, a watery eye, a temporary or (rarely) permanent change in sense of smell, and — very rarely — injury to structures near the sinuses such as the eye socket or the thin bone separating the sinuses from the brain. Mr Dale will discuss the specific risks relevant to your case, and non-surgical alternatives in full at your consultation.
YOUR RECOVERY, WEEK BY WEEK
-
Day of surgery: Immediately after surgery the nose will feel more blocked.
-
Days 1-3: Some blood-stained nasal discharge is normal; simple paracetamol is usually enough for discomfort. Nasal rinses start on Day 1.
-
Week 1: Continue nasal rinses, nasal packing starts to dissolve and the nose begins to unblock. Steroid spray starts on day 7.
-
Weeks 2-6: Most patients are back to normal daily activity and are beginning to breathe through the nose more freely. Crusting may occur inside the nose.
-
Week 6: Full recovery for most patients, with ongoing use of nasal spray/rinses as advised to reduce the chance of polyps or symptoms recurring
Contact the ward at The Spire Hospital Bristol if you notice foul smelling discharge from the nose, increasing pain or headaches.
FEES
Private sinus surgery in the UK typically costs in the region of £5,000-£6,500 depending on the extent of surgery, in addition to a separate consultation fee (usually £275-£300). Because every case is different, Mr Dale's secretary will provide a personalised, itemised quote covering the surgeon's fee, hospital fee and anaesthetist's fee after your consultation, so there are no surprises.
TRAVELLING FOR TREATMENT
A significant number of Mr Dale's patients travel from outside Bristol. The Spire Hospital, Bristol is close to the M5/M4 interchange, around 20 minutes from Bristol Temple Meads (direct trains from London Paddington in under 2 hours, from Cardiff in under an hour, and from Birmingham in around 90 minutes), with on-site parking.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a GP referral to see Mr Dale?
No — you can self-refer directly for a private consultation. If you have private medical insurance, check with your insurer whether they require a GP referral letter for their own claims process.
How soon can I be seen?
Private consultations are typically available within 1-2 weeks, with surgery arranged shortly after your CT scan and consultation, rather than the many months often quoted on current NHS waiting lists (you can check your own local NHS trust's published waiting time at nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/guide-to-nhs-waiting-times-in-england).
Is sinus surgery painful?
Most patients describe more pressure and congestion than pain in the first few days, well controlled with simple paracetamol-based painkillers.
Will I have visible scars?
No — FESS is performed entirely through the nostrils, so there are no external incisions or visible scarring.
Does private medical insurance cover sinus surgery?
Most major insurers cover FESS for chronic sinusitis, subject to your policy terms. Mr Dale's secretary can advise on working with your insurer, or provide a self-pay quote if you don't have cover.
Do you see patients from outside Bristol and the South West?
Yes — patients regularly travel from South Wales, the Midlands, London and further afield.
WHAT PATIENTS SAY...
Mr Dale was great, he managed to diagnose my issues within minutes of the initial consultation, which had been missed by other doctors throughout my life. There was a clear treatment plan, and advised an operation would make a lasting impact. The operation went well and I noticed an instant improvement in my breathing.
APPOINTMENTS
Mr Dale offers private appointments at The Spire Hospital in Bristol.
To book an appointment call Mr Dale’s private secretary on 0117 287 0148 or email secretary@bristolentsurgery.co.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Mr Dale's secretary using the form below: