Endoscopic Sinus Surgeon in Dubai

Quick answer

What is endoscopic sinus surgery, and who performs it in Dubai?

Endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) widens the blocked drainage channels of the sinuses, the air-filled spaces in the bones of the face. It is done inside the nose with a thin camera, so the face usually has no cuts. It is usually suggested when sinus symptoms continue despite sprays, rinses and other medicines. Dr. Muhammad Jabbr is a Consultant ENT (ear, nose and throat) and Head and Neck Surgeon who performs FESS. He sees patients at Medcare Hospital Al Safa, Dubai.

Being told you may need sinus surgery can raise a lot of questions. What is done inside your nose? How sore will it be? When can you get back to work? This guide follows FESS one step at a time, from the first scan to the months after.

Dr. Muhammad Jabbr, a Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon, sees patients in the ENT Department at Medcare Hospital, Al Safa. For anyone searching for an endoscopic sinus surgeon in Dubai, he is one of the best people to guide you. He brings more than 20 years of experience and over 3,000 ENT procedures, in both adults and children.

How does an endoscopic sinus surgeon in Dubai open blocked sinuses?

The sinuses are air-filled pockets in the cheekbones, the forehead and the bones between the eyes. Each one empties into the nose through a narrow channel. If these channels stay swollen for months, mucus cannot drain and the sinuses stay inflamed.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery, or FESS, widens these natural drainage routes. The operation is done inside the nose, using a slim viewing tube with a camera (an endoscope), so the face is usually left without any cuts. The aim is to help the sinuses drain and to let rinses and sprays reach the lining, not to take the sinuses out.

FESS is usually suggested when symptoms continue despite a full trial of sprays, rinses and other medicines. Our endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) page has a short overview.

How is FESS planned? Your CT scan and pre-op visit

Planning starts in the clinic. Dr. Jabbr will go over your symptoms and the treatment you have tried so far. He will then check inside your nose with a nasal endoscopy, a short test usually done after a numbing spray.

A sinus CT scan works like a map for the surgeon. It shows where the blockage is and how your drainage channels are built. It also shows the delicate areas, such as the thin bone next to the eye and the thin bone between the sinuses and the brain.

In some cases, such as repeat surgery or unusual anatomy, the scan may also be used for image-guided sinus surgery. This tracks the instruments against your scan during the operation, rather like GPS.

At the pre-op visit, you can expect to discuss:

Which sinuses need opening, and why
Whether a bent septum or swollen turbinates should be treated at the same time
Your general health, including asthma, allergies and any bleeding problems
The anaesthetic, and whether you are likely to stay overnight

Getting ready for FESS: medicines, fasting and help at home

Your written instructions will usually cover:

Medicines: give the team a full list of what you take. Some medicines and supplements raise the risk of bleeding, such as blood thinners, aspirin and ibuprofen. Keep taking prescribed medicines until a doctor tells you what to change.
Smoking: stopping, even for a few weeks, can help the lining heal.
Fasting: you will get exact times to stop food and drink.
Getting home: arrange for an adult to drive you back and keep you company that night.
Rinse kit: buy a saline rinse bottle in advance.

What happens during endoscopic sinus surgery, step by step?

Most people have FESS under general anaesthetic and sleep through the whole operation. It often takes between one and three hours, depending on how many sinuses are treated.

The nose lining is shrunk with a decongestant. This reduces bleeding and gives a clearer view.
The endoscope goes in through the nostril, and the surgeon works from a magnified picture on a screen.
With fine instruments, the surgeon removes the diseased tissue and the thin bony walls that block each drainage opening.
Any polyps found during surgery can be removed at the same time.
Dissolvable packs or thin splints are sometimes placed at the end to support healing.

Many people go home later that day, while some stay one night.

What can you expect in the first two weeks after FESS?

Pain is usually a dull ache or pressure, like a heavy cold. Paracetamol or other painkillers your team advises are often enough.

First three days: expect a very stuffy nose and some blood-stained discharge. Keep your head propped up in bed.

End of the first week: crusts build up inside, so the nose can still feel blocked. Discharge often turns thicker and brownish. This is normal healing.

Second week: most people feel clearly better. Many go back to office work after about a week, but physical jobs may need more time off.

Until your surgeon says otherwise:

Avoid forceful nose blowing. Dab gently instead.
If you need to sneeze, keep your mouth open.
Avoid heavy lifting, bending over and hard exercise.
Check with your surgeon before flying or swimming.

How do saline rinses help after sinus surgery?

Salt water rinses wash out old blood, mucus and crusts, and they help the lining heal. Most people start within a day or two of surgery, as advised, and may rinse several times a day at first.

Use sterile, distilled or previously boiled water that has cooled. Never use plain tap water. The first rinses may bring out dark clots. That is normal. If rinsing causes sharp pain, ask your team to check your technique.

Why are post-op cleaning visits needed?

After FESS, you will come back to the clinic a few times. At these visits, Dr. Jabbr looks inside with the endoscope and gently removes crusts, clots and any early scar strands. This is called debridement.

Crusts left in place can encourage thin scar bands, which may narrow or close the new openings. The first visit is often within one to two weeks, with more as needed. A numbing spray is usually used first, and most people cope with it well.

Is FESS safe? Possible risks and warning signs

Serious problems after FESS are uncommon, but no surgery is risk-free. Possible problems include:

Bleeding, usually minor, but now and then enough to need packing
Infection, which is usually treated with medicine
Scar bands (adhesions) inside the nose
Symptoms coming back over time, especially with polyps or allergy. Some people later need revision sinus surgery
Rarely, a worse sense of smell
Rare problems near the eye, such as bruising or a watery eye, and, very rarely, changes in vision
A very rare leak of the clear fluid that surrounds the brain

Get urgent medical help for bleeding that is heavy or will not stop, swelling or pain around the eye, any change in vision, a clear watery drip from the nose, a high fever, or a bad headache with neck stiffness.

How do you care for your sinuses in the long term?

The lining inside the nose can take a few months to settle. Breathing and sense of smell may improve slowly over this time.

Keep using rinses and any steroid sprays as advised.
Keep allergy and asthma well controlled.
Go to your follow-up visits, even if you feel fine.
Report early signs of blockage coming back, so they can be treated early, often with medicine.

For complex or recurring sinus problems, see our sinus surgery specialist page. If long-standing inflammation is your main concern, our chronic sinusitis treatment page explains the medical side.

Having FESS with Dr. Muhammad Jabbr

Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon: MD, MS, DOHNS (England), European Board ORL-HNS and Arab Board ORL-HNS
More than 20 years of experience and more than 3,000 ENT procedures
Treats both adults and children
A 4.9 Google rating from 406 reviews

You can ask him to go through your CT scan with you and explain why surgery is, or is not, advised.

Book an appointment

To talk about FESS, book your visit online or call +971 52 751 7811. The clinic is in the ENT Department, Medcare Hospital, Hadiqa Street, Al Safa 1, Dubai.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have packing in my nose after FESS?

Not always. Soft packs that dissolve are often used, or no packs at all. Packs or splints that do not dissolve are removed in the clinic, usually in the first week or so.

Will my face look bruised or swollen after sinus surgery?

Usually not, because the work is done from inside the nose. Rarely, bruising or swelling around the eye can happen. If it does, get it checked promptly.

Is it safe to fly in the weeks after FESS?

It depends on how you are healing. Many surgeons advise waiting about one to two weeks, so get the all-clear before booking a flight.

How long do I need to rinse after FESS?

Rinses are usually needed often in the first few weeks, then less often. People with allergy or polyps may be advised to keep rinsing long term.

Is it normal for my nose to feel more blocked in the first week?

Yes. Swelling and crusts often make the nose feel more blocked than before surgery. This usually eases with regular rinsing and after the first cleaning visit.

Can FESS improve a poor sense of smell?

Smell often improves as the lining heals, but this is not guaranteed. It may take weeks or months, and the result depends on the cause.

Before you decide on FESS

FESS follows clear steps: a scan, a careful plan, the operation, and steady aftercare. If medicines have not settled your sinus symptoms, Dr. Muhammad Jabbr can review your scan, explain your options and support you through recovery.