Rhinology
Nose and sinus treatment, including endoscopic sinus surgery
Blocked nose, sinus headaches, polyps, allergies and nosebleeds are assessed with nasal endoscopy in the clinic. When surgery is needed, Dr. Udayakumar has special training in endoscopic nose and sinus surgery under local anaesthesia.
In short
When should you see a specialist?
Sinusitis that lasts more than 12 weeks, keeps returning, or does not improve with medicine should be evaluated with nasal endoscopy and, when needed, a CT scan. Most people improve with medical treatment; surgery is for those who do not.
- A blocked nose lasting more than a few weeks
- Facial pain or pressure with thick discharge
- Loss of smell
- Frequent or heavy nosebleeds
- Snoring or mouth breathing in a child
Conditions
Conditions we diagnose and treat
Sinusitis
Acute and chronic sinusitis, including fungal sinusitis.
Nasal allergy
Allergic, perennial and atrophic rhinitis.
Nasal blockage
One-sided or both-sided obstruction to breathing.
Nasal polyps
Soft swellings in the nose and sinuses that block airflow and smell.
Deviated nasal septum (DNS)
A bent septum causing blockage, snoring or headaches.
Turbinate problems
Enlarged turbinates that keep the nose congested.
Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
Recurrent or heavy bleeding from the nose.
Adenoid enlargement
Blocked nose, mouth breathing and snoring in children.
Smell disorders
Reduced or lost sense of smell.
Sinus headache and facial pain
Pressure over the cheeks, forehead or between the eyes.
Nasal infections
Vestibulitis, crusting and other infections of the nose.
Foreign bodies
Objects removed from the nose, common in young children.
Diagnosis
Tests available in the clinic
Testing in the same building means fewer trips and a diagnosis you can act on sooner.
- Diagnostic nasal endoscopy
- Allergy testing (skin prick test, 83 allergens)
- CT scan review of the paranasal sinuses
- Smell assessment
Treatment
Procedures and surgeries
Treatment always starts with the least invasive option that works. These are the procedures offered when surgery is needed.
FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery)
Opening blocked sinus drainage pathways through the nose, with no outside cut.
Revision FESS
Surgery for sinus disease that returns after an earlier operation.
Septoplasty
Straightening a deviated nasal septum.
Turbinoplasty / turbinate reduction
Reducing enlarged turbinates to improve airflow.
Nasal polypectomy
Endoscopic removal of polyps.
Posterior nasal neurectomy
A procedure for persistent watery runny nose that does not respond to medicine.
Endoscopic removal of nasal masses
Removing growths from the nose and sinuses through the nostril.
Founder & Chief Consultant
Dr. Udayakumar, MBBS, MS (ENT)
ENT specialist in otology, rhinology, neurotology, hearing sciences, and vertigo and balance disorders. Former Senior Consultant in ENT at Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital and Assistant Professor of ENT at Adhiparasakthi Medical College. Founder of Dr. Udaya’s ENT Wellness Centre (2018) and SAMANILAI Diagnostic & Therapeutic Centre (2023).
Also consulting in this clinic
FAQ
Common questions
Can sinus surgery be done under local anaesthesia?
Yes, in selected patients. Dr. Udayakumar has special training in endoscopic nose and sinus surgery under local anaesthesia, which can mean quicker recovery and suits many older patients and those with other health conditions.
Will nasal polyps come back after surgery?
They can, especially with allergy or asthma. Surgery clears the sinuses so that medicated sprays and rinses can reach the lining, which keeps polyps under control. Regular follow-up is part of the plan.
Does septoplasty change the shape of the nose?
No. Septoplasty works on the partition inside the nose to improve breathing. It does not change the outside shape.
Is a CT scan always needed for sinusitis?
No. Acute sinusitis is diagnosed clinically. A CT scan is used for chronic or recurrent sinusitis, suspected complications, or when surgery is being planned.
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Talk to an ENT specialist in Tambaram
Consultations Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Call ahead or send an appointment request and the clinic team will confirm your slot.