General Medical Information

Clinic Office Operative Procedures

James A. Duncavage
John R. Coleman, Jr.

The ability to perform procedures in the office setting is beneficial to both the patient and the otolaryngologist. To the patient, the thought of going to the operating room can be an anxiety-provoking expensive experience. Each patient that we recommend for a surgical procedure should be evaluated to determine whether the procedure could be done in the clinic. For instance, we have found that many sinus procedures can be done in the office. Examples include partial middle turbinectomy, nasal antrostomy, partial ethmoidectomy, scar release for the sphenoid, maxillary and frontal sinus ostia, polypectomy, and maxillary endoscopy. Doing procedures in the office actually saves the surgeon time, because it eliminates much of the waiting in the operating room. In addition, surgeons can save their operating room time for more challenging surgical procedures. The College of Surgeons has established guidelines for optimal office-based surgery.