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Maxillary sinus puncture
sinus puncture · antral puncture · sinus washout · sinus lavage for sinusitis
The doctor makes a small hole with a thin needle through the nose into the sinus and rinses it. This lets the pus out.
For sinusitis with pus when medicines do not help, or to take a sample for testing.
⏱ Duration: usually 10 to 20 minutes
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Scan. An X-ray or CT scan of the sinuses is usually done first.
- Food. You can have a light meal beforehand.
- Medicines. Do not stop your medicines on your own. Tell the doctor.
What to bring
- Your ID
- Your sinus scans
- Tissues
How it goes
- The doctor numbs your nose with a spray or a cotton pad
- You sit with your head tilted a little
- A thin needle is passed through the wall of the sinus
- The sinus is rinsed with a solution through the needle
- Fluid and pus drain out through your nose into a tray
- The needle is removed
What you'll feel
- The numbing medicine stings a little
- During the puncture, you hear a crunch and feel pressure
- Rinsing feels like fullness in your cheek
Afterwards
- A little blood from the nose usually stops quickly
- Do not blow your nose hard for the first few hours
- Further rinses and medicines are as your doctor prescribes
Contact a doctor straight away if
- A heavy nosebleed
- Swelling of the cheek or eyelids, or eye pain
- A fever over 38°C after the procedure
- A severe headache or vomiting: call emergency services
Common questions
If I have one puncture, will I always need them?
No. This is a myth. A puncture does not make you dependent on it.
Does it hurt?
With numbing medicine, it usually does not hurt, but it is unpleasant.