Diving after sinus surgery

[Anti-Hero]

On Dec 15th I had cysts removed from my sphenoid and maxillary sinuses, and while they were there they also performed a turbinate reduction and a septoplasty to correct a deviated septum. I was told 4 weeks ago that I'd be clear to return to normal activities "in 3 weeks."

I specifically mentioned diving / skiing as they both deal with a change in ambient pressure and my ENT surgeon didn't seem to think it was a big deal. I wanted to get a second opinion just in case.

I haven't been diving in 10 weeks and i'm getting anxious.

Any insight is appreciated!

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Anti-Hero,

Happily, we have a diving ENT as a Medical Moderator--"doctormike."

In the unlikey event he misses your inquiry, he can be contacted thru http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/doctormike.html

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[doctormike]

On Dec 15th I had cysts removed from my sphenoid and maxillary sinuses, and while they were there they also performed a turbinate reduction and a septoplasty to correct a deviated septum. I was told 4 weeks ago that I'd be clear to return to normal activities "in 3 weeks."

I specifically mentioned diving / skiing as they both deal with a change in ambient pressure and my ENT surgeon didn't seem to think it was a big deal. I wanted to get a second opinion just in case.

I haven't been diving in 10 weeks and i'm getting anxious.

Any insight is appreciated!

Hey, Anti-Hero...! Welcome to the forum..

Ideally, sinus surgery should improve the ventilation of your sinuses, and help prevent sinus squeeze if that was a problem before. I usually recommend avoiding rapid increases in intrasinus pressure in the 2-3 weeks after sinus surgery, especially in the case of ethmoid sinus procedures where pushing air into the orbit is possible. However, once you are healed (and assuming that you heal well without scarring or recurrent sinus problems), you should be able to equalize without any problem.

I would recommend trying it in a pool though, before going on the dive trip of a lifetime, just to make sure that you don't have any trapped air cells which would be prone to barotrauma...

Good luck!

Mike

 

[Anti-Hero]

Thanks, Dr. Mike!

 

[crpntr133]

I was out of the water for 3 months.

 

[kittygrizzy]

I had repair of deviated septum, removal of polyps, revision of ethmoid sinus, maxillary sinus surgery,endoscopy with debridgement (turbinate reduction) on Dec 8 2009. I want to scuba in four weeks which would be 11 weeks post surgery. I called DAN and they said my biggest concern would be infection but if the doctor says I'm healing well I should be good to go. Th doctor didn't seem to have a lot of experience with Scuba but said I was healing well and should be fine. I just don't want to rush things and damage the surgery. Do you think 11 amd a half weeks post op should be safe to dive?

Signed,
Can't wait to dive

 

[doctormike]

I had repair of deviated septum, removal of polyps, revision of ethmoid sinus, maxillary sinus surgery,endoscopy with debridgement (turbinate reduction) on Dec 8 2009. I want to scuba in four weeks which would be 11 weeks post surgery. I called DAN and they said my biggest concern would be infection but if the doctor says I'm healing well I should be good to go. Th doctor didn't seem to have a lot of experience with Scuba but said I was healing well and should be fine. I just don't want to rush things and damage the surgery. Do you think 11 amd a half weeks post op should be safe to dive?

Signed,
Can't wait to dive

Hi, Kitty... thanks for writing..!

Of course, I really can't "clear" you to dive over the Internet, but I can make some general comments.

Typically, if a surgical patient is healed up and ventilating the sinuses well (that is, if they can equalize on descent), there shouldn't be too much of a problem. Sometimes, if there is a lot of surgery, raising the pressure in the sinuses can cause blood or air to leak into the soft tissue around the eyes or face, and so some surgeons tell people to wait a month or so before blowing their nose forcefully. The same caution would apply to diving.

Probably the best way to check this out would be to try equalizing in a swimming pool once you are healed...

Good luck!

Mike
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