JD Vance undergoes minor sinus surgery ahead of swearing-in: What you need to know about the procedure

US Vice President-elect JD Vance had a minor sinus surgery at George Washington Hospital in Washington on Friday shortly after attending the Senate’s swearing-in ceremony, as per media reports.
Vance Spokesperson William Martin confirmed in a statement that the Vice President-elect planned the minor surgery long back and will be back a day after.
The surgery Vance underwent is called

Endoscopic sinus surgery

or functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and typically takes two hours, although it may differ from person to person.
The surgery is unlikely to interfere with JD Vance’s swearing in ceremony on January 20. According to Cleveland Clinic, most people resume their work in a week or so and their normal routine within two weeks. However, it may take them a few months to feel completely normal.

What is Endoscopic sinus surgery

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, endoscopic sinus surgery is a procedure to remove blockages and treat other problems in the sinuses using an endoscope which is a thin, rigid tube with a camera and a light. The surgery doesn’t involve cutting the skin and is performed entirely through the nostrils.
The purpose of this surgery is to remove nasal polyps and tumors, treat chronic sinus infections, and address other types of sinus problems.

Who requires this surgery?

If you have chronic sinus inflammation or a chronic sinus infection that doesn’t improve with medical treatments, such as antibiotics and medications to manage allergies, you may need this surgery,
Sinusitis is developed when the tissue that lines your sinuses begins to swell, trapping mucus that typically flows through your sinuses and out through your nose. The trapped fluid can grow bacteria that can cause infections. You may also need one in case of nasal polyps.

What happens during the surgery

An endoscope or a thin camera rod with a light at the end is inserted into one nostril which magnifies and helps in visualizing the sinus tissues. Once the problem is located, the surgeon uses specialized instruments alongside the endoscope to open the sinuses. Any cause of sinus blockage such as mucous membrane swelling, nasal polyps and scar tissue is removed.
In case of a deviated septum, specialized instruments can straighten it and reduce the size of the turbinates (bony structures inside the sinuses).
After a few hours in a recovery room, most patients feel well enough to go home.

Unexpected complications

After FESS or sinus surgery, some potential complications include a loss of smell, tearing of eyes due to sinus inflammation, and heavier-than-usual bleeding, which may require medical intervention. Rarely, patients may experience leaking of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), leading to the risk of meningitis, or vision problems such as loss of vision in one eye or double vision.
(Picture courtesy: AP images)