Treatment of sinusitis after puncture

With all the achievements of modern pharmacologists developing new antibiotics, often the only effective remedy that can cure maxillary sinusitis is a sinus puncture. Puncture allows you to remove thick mucopurulent accumulations from the sinus and prevent the transition of the disease into a chronic form. However, invasive intervention by itself is not completely capable of defeating the ailment, therefore, the treatment of sinusitis after a puncture is of great importance.

When a puncture of the maxillary chamber is prescribed

Many patients are very afraid of a puncture and require only traditional treatment. The doctor most often listens to the wishes of patients, but in some cases, surgery cannot be avoided. We are talking specifically about the acute purulent form of the disease, since the catarrhal form is treatable with medicines and rinsing.

The otolaryngologist decides on the puncture of the accessory chamber, based on the symptoms and the severity of the patient's condition. The main goal of the operation is to urgently evacuate purulent exudate from the sinus in cases that may threaten the development of severe complications that can threaten human health and life. The indications for surgery are:

lack of positive dynamics with drug therapy for 5 days;
pronounced pain syndrome, with it the pain is concentrated in the area of the affected sinus, eyes, or spreads all over the head;
high temperature, from 38 degrees and above, which does not subside when taking antipyretic drugs;
severe edema of the connecting canal, which led to a complete cessation of the drainage of the air pocket and an increase in pressure on its walls;
purulent sinusitis in a neglected form, in which there are signs of the spread of an infected secretion in the tissue of neighboring organs;
the presence of overgrown cysts and polyps clogging the anastomosis;
contraindication in the patient to oral administration of potent drugs in case of problems with the stomach, intestines or other internal organs;
with difficulties with the diagnosis or determination of the causative agent of the disease.

The presence of pus, which is not excreted from the sinus for a long time, negatively affects the tissues lining the accessory chamber from the inside. In them, processes of an irreversible nature take place, which subsequently lead to recurrences of sinusitis at the slightest external influences.

How is the puncture performed and the effect of it

We should briefly dwell on how the surgical intervention proceeds. All manipulations are carried out in the hospital by an otolaryngologist. There is no special preparation for it, sometimes the doctor asks the patient not to eat tightly before visiting a medical facility. During the entire procedure, the person is conscious and can see all the actions of the doctor.

The operation mechanism is simple and worked out over the years of practice. An experienced doctor performs dozens of such procedures per month. Everything happens like this:

First, anemization is performed to relieve swelling of the tissues of the nasal cavity. For this, ordinary decongestants or turunda soaked in an adrenaline solution can be used, which is injected into the nose on a long spatula.
The next step is pain relief. For this, common anesthetics are used - novocaine and lidocaine, they can be administered by injection (filtration anesthesia) or in the form of turunda (surface anesthesia). Occasionally, in difficult cases, general anesthesia may be prescribed.
With a thick long needle inserted through the nostril, the ENT pierces the thin bone wall of the sinus. Then a syringe is attached, an antiseptic solution is injected through it, with the help of which pus is flushed out of the sinus. The next step is an infusion of antibiotics and other necessary medications.
Several punctures are made, most often, 2-3 procedures are enough. Sometimes, if the patient is in the hospital, in order to avoid additional trauma to the tissues, a thin catheter is inserted into the punched hole through which the sinus is washed and medications are injected there.

Most often, a couple of hours after the intervention, the patient goes home, although sometimes he can be left in the hospital under supervision for several days.

The result of the puncture is a significant improvement in the patient's condition: nasal breathing is restored, the pain syndrome noticeably weakens, the exudate no longer presses on the walls of the maxillary sinus, the temperature decreases, the signs of intoxication decrease

How to treat sinusitis after a puncture

The puncture procedure does not at all put an end to the treatment of the ailment, it only helps to relieve its most acute manifestations and avert the threat of severe complications.

The fight against the infection contained in the body must be continued with the help of other means. To make sure that the accessory pocket is cleared of purulent masses, a second X-ray is taken.

After puncturing the maxillary sinuses, treatment consists in completely destroying the pathogen, restoring the normal functioning of all mucous membranes, improving the general condition and relieving the symptoms of the disease. Various medicines and physiotherapy procedures are used:

Antibiotics after a puncture are always prescribed to completely suppress the pathogens that caused the disease. Sometimes injections are used, but more often tablets are used, which are convenient to take at home.
To disinfect the nasal passages and the site of sinus penetration, rinsing of the nasal cavity is prescribed using solutions of pharmaceutical antiseptics (Miramistin, Chlorhexidine or Furacilin) for several weeks after surgery. Nasal drops with antibacterial action (Polydexa, Isofra) also help well.
After the puncture, the temperature can be subfebrile, sometimes in the evening and at night it can increase slightly. This is due to the fact that there are still remnants of pus in the chambers, which maintains the intoxication of the body. Under the action of antibiotics, these symptoms will disappear in a few days, and at first, with hyperthermia, you can take traditional antipyretic drugs based on paracetamol or ibuprofen. If the fever worsens, injectable antibiotics (Ceftriaxone) may be used.
Residual congestion is stopped with the help of vasoconstrictor sprays and drops (Galazolin, Naphtizin, Lazolvan rino, Nazol). Sometimes doctors recommend corticosteroids, which also have antihistamines (Avamis).
It is possible to improve the outflow of secretion, soften the mucous membrane and prevent it from drying out, using saline solutions for irrigation and oil-based drops, for example, the famous Pinosol.

The duration of postoperative therapy depends on the degree of neglect of the disease, its specific pathogen, and the level of body resistance. The complete restoration of all functions of the upper part of the respiratory system occurs in a few weeks, but sometimes it can take a longer period.

In any case, it is impossible to prematurely interrupt the therapy prescribed by the doctor, since not completely cured acute sinusitis usually becomes the cause of the development of its sluggish form, which is much more difficult to cure, and sometimes even impossible.

Alternative methods of therapy after sinus puncture

In addition to pharmaceutical preparations, traditional medicine also helps to improve the positive dynamics in overcoming the disease; in a more gentle mode, they help to overcome the consequences of the inflammatory process and remove symptoms. Herbal medicine with a purulent form can only perform an auxiliary function, but at the stage of recovery after a puncture, it can come to the fore.

In practice, the following methods have proven their effectiveness:

Rinsing with decoctions of herbs is useful for relieving swelling and inflammation, cleansing the puncture site and the entire nasal cavity. The remaining secret is qualitatively washed out from all corners and removed from the nose. The main thing is to do it carefully, without creating a strong pressure, so as not to cause painful sensations and not to spread the remaining infection to other organs of the respiratory tract. Decoctions of yarrow, St. John's wort, sage, oak bark, chamomile are suitable for irrigation. To prepare the broth, you just need to pour 2 tablespoons of dry chopped herbs with a liter of boiling water, leave for half an hour and strain.
Decoctions and herbal infusions used for rinsing can be taken orally. It is best to do this in the evening before bed. With this form of admission, the whole body is strengthened and general immunity is increased.
Inhalations over steam regenerate the mucous membrane and cleanse the nasal passages well. For this method, you can use boiled potatoes, herbal solutions, essential oils, honey, propolis tincture. You should breathe daily 1-2 times, covering your head with a towel.
Lotions and compresses help warm up the sinuses, improve blood microcirculation and restore the normal activity of epithelial cells. There are a great many recipes; clay, paraffin, bay leaf decoction, onions are used for them.
Nasal drops from freshly squeezed juices of carrots, onions, beets, black radishes, currants, cranberries are effective at the stage of recovery and can be used in combination with other folk and medications.
Using dry heat to target air pockets. The most famous heating methods are bags of rock salt or cereals, hard-boiled chicken eggs, Minin's reflector, better known as the blue lamp.

Often after the puncture, homeopathic treatment is prescribed with the help of drugs such as Cinnabsin, Delufen, Euphorbium compositum, as well as drugs based on potassium dichromate, mercury, belladonna, arsenicum.

Preventive measures after a puncture

Rumor has it that the puncture has a rather ominous property: supposedly after it is carried out, a person will regularly suffer from sinusitis, and it will need to be treated exclusively by surgery. In fact, in order to avoid recurrence of maxillary sinusitis, you just need to take certain preventive measures that do not require large costs and efforts.

The most important is prevention during seasonal peaks of respiratory diseases and influenza, after hypothermia, with exacerbation of chronic ailments and after puncture.

The main ways of preventing sinusitis in our time are:

Instant reaction to the slightest signs of colds (chills, runny nose, fever, fever, weakness). You should rinse your nose with a solution of salt or herbal decoction, drip a decongestant, drink warm tea and immediately go to the clinic.
If a person's work is associated with a constant stay in a room with gaseous or polluted (dust, volatile chemicals) air, then nasal irrigation should become a daily procedure. Soda, iodine, alcoholic tinctures of calendula or eucalyptus can be added to the solution to enhance the effect. Rinsing with natural mineral water helps.
Humidification of air in living quarters to optimize the functioning of the ciliated epithelium in the nasal cavity and accessory chambers. In household appliances stores and on Internet sites, they offer a large selection of household air humidifiers, their action is based on the release of cold steam with ultrasound.
Dental care, their timely treatment and regular examination by a dentist help to avoid the development of odontogenic (dental) sinusitis, in which a puncture is almost inevitable.
Daily sports without excessive physical exertion, while swimming in pools where the water is chlorinated should be avoided.
A balanced diet that provides the body with a sufficient amount of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and microelements.