Do I really need surgery, or can sinusitis be treated with medicine?

For most people, chronic sinusitis is managed with medical therapy first - saline irrigation, steroid nasal sprays and antibiotics, plus treating any allergy. Surgery is generally considered only when this fails after around three months, or when there's a structural blockage like polyps or a deviated septum. An ENT specialist decides based on your symptoms, nasal endoscopy and a CT scan.

Is sinus surgery day surgery, and how long is recovery?

Most sinus operations (FESS, balloon sinuplasty, septoplasty) are done as day surgery or a short stay under general anaesthesia, through the nostrils with no external cuts. Many people return to light activity within several days to about a week. Expect some congestion early on, regular saline rinses, and one or more outpatient clean-up (debridement) visits as a normal part of healing.

Can I use MediSave for sinus surgery in Singapore?

Yes, if the surgery is medically indicated. Endoscopic sinus surgery is listed under the Table of Surgical Procedures (e.g. SM714S, Table 5C) with a surgical MediSave limit of around S$2,770, plus daily hospital-charge limits. The surgeon must certify medical necessity, usually with evidence that medical therapy was tried first. Cosmetic nasal procedures are not claimable.

What's the difference between FESS and balloon sinuplasty?

FESS removes diseased tissue and widens the sinus drainage openings using an endoscope, and is the standard option for chronic sinusitis and polyps. Balloon sinuplasty instead dilates a narrowed sinus opening with a balloon, removing no tissue - it's less invasive with quicker recovery but is only suitable for selected, mainly inflammatory cases. Your ENT will advise which is appropriate.

Will the sinusitis come back after surgery?

Surgery opens and drains the sinuses but doesn't cure the underlying tendency to inflammation, especially with nasal polyps or allergy. Ongoing care - saline irrigation, steroid sprays and managing allergies - is important to reduce recurrence. Some patients need further treatment or, rarely, repeat surgery if polyps or disease return.

Sinus Surgery in Singapore for Chronic Sinusitis: Options, What to Expect & Cost

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 2 Jul 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Quick answer. Sinus surgery is considered for chronic rhinosinusitis (and related problems like nasal polyps, a deviated septum or recurrent infections) only when at least about 3 months of maximal medical therapy – saline irrigation, steroid nasal sprays and antibiotics – has failed. The main operations are Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), balloon sinuplasty and septoplasty, often combined with turbinate reduction or polyp removal, and are usually done as day surgery under general anaesthesia. Medically-indicated sinus surgery is MediSave-claimable and heavily subsidised at public hospitals. In Singapore, typical subsidised public-hospital day-surgery bills run around S$2,000-4,400, while private FESS commonly ranges from about S$8,000 to S$15,000 (more for complex or combined procedures).

Chronic sinusitis (chronic rhinosinusitis) causes months of blocked nose, facial pressure, post-nasal drip and reduced smell. For most people it is managed with medicines, but when symptoms persist despite proper treatment – or when there are nasal polyps, a badly deviated septum or anatomical blockage – an ENT specialist may recommend surgery to open and drain the sinuses. This guide explains who needs sinus surgery, the main procedures, what recovery is like, and what it typically costs in Singapore, including MediSave and subsidy details.

At a glance

Typical sinus surgery pathways and cost ranges in Singapore (2026). Indicative ranges from MOH bill data and ENT-clinic guidance; actual quotes vary by case.
Procedure / pathway	Typical cost	Notes (MediSave / subsidy)
FESS – public hospital, subsidised (day surgery)	~S$2,000-4,400 (typical bill ~S$3,300)	Heavily subsidised (means-tested); MediSave-claimable; longer wait
FESS – public hospital, unsubsidised (Ward A)	~S$11,000-12,000	No subsidy; MediSave-claimable for medically-indicated surgery
FESS – private hospital	~S$8,000-15,000	MediSave-claimable (TOSP SM714S, Table 5C, surgical limit ~S$2,770); Shield plan may apply
Balloon sinuplasty – private	~S$6,000-12,000	Less invasive; MediSave-claimable where medically indicated
Septoplasty (often combined with sinus surgery)	Varies; combining reduces total vs separate ops	MediSave-claimable when medically indicated, not cosmetic
Turbinate reduction (often added)	~S$3,000-8,000 standalone; less when combined	MediSave-claimable; commonly done in same sitting

Who needs sinus surgery (and who doesn't yet)

Sinus surgery is not a first-line treatment. It is usually considered only after a trial of medical therapy – typically around three months of maximal treatment – has not adequately controlled symptoms. First-line management of chronic rhinosinusitis includes:

Saline nasal irrigation (rinsing the nose daily to flush mucus and irritants)
Intranasal corticosteroid sprays (e.g. mometasone, fluticasone, budesonide) to reduce inflammation
Antibiotics for bacterial infections or flare-ups, and treatment of underlying allergy where present

Surgery is typically recommended when this fails, or when there is a clear structural or obstructive cause, such as:

Chronic rhinosinusitis that persists despite optimal medication
Nasal polyps blocking the nose and sinus drainage
Recurrent acute sinus infections
A significantly deviated septum or enlarged turbinates obstructing airflow
Complications, or suspicious lesions needing biopsy

An ENT specialist confirms the diagnosis and plans surgery using nasal endoscopy and usually a CT scan of the sinuses, which maps the anatomy and disease extent.

The main sinus operations

Most patients need a tailored combination rather than a single procedure. The common options are:

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) – the standard operation for chronic rhinosinusitis and polyps. Using an endoscope passed through the nostrils (no external cuts), the surgeon removes diseased tissue and widens the natural sinus drainage openings. Typical operating time is about 90-120 minutes.
Balloon sinuplasty – a less invasive option for selected, mainly inflammatory disease without significant polyps. A small balloon catheter is inflated to dilate the sinus opening without removing tissue. Quicker (around 45 minutes) with generally faster recovery, but not suitable for all cases.
Septoplasty – straightens a deviated nasal septum. It is frequently combined with sinus surgery to improve access and airflow.
Turbinate reduction – shrinks enlarged turbinates that block the nose, often done in the same sitting.
Polypectomy – removal of nasal polyps, usually as part of FESS.

Combining procedures in one operation is common and usually more efficient than staging them separately.

What to expect: surgery and recovery

Sinus surgery in Singapore is most often performed as day surgery or a short inpatient stay under general anaesthesia. Because access is through the nostrils, there are usually no external scars or facial bruising. What to expect:

After surgery: some nasal congestion, mild oozing and a blocked-up feeling for the first days. Dissolvable or removable packing/dressings may be used.
Recovery: many people return to light activities within several days to about a week; strenuous activity and nose-blowing are avoided initially.
Nasal care: regular saline irrigation and continued steroid sprays are usually advised to support healing and reduce recurrence.
Follow-up debridement: the ENT performs one or more outpatient clean-ups (endoscopic removal of crusts and debris) in the weeks after FESS – this is a normal and important part of recovery.

As with any surgery there are risks. These are uncommon but can include bleeding, infection, scarring/adhesions, recurrence of disease or polyps needing further treatment, temporary changes in smell, and rare injury to nearby structures (the eye/orbit or the skull base). Your surgeon will discuss risks specific to your case.

How much it costs in Singapore

Cost depends mainly on where you’re treated (public subsidised vs private), the procedure(s) done, and whether it’s day surgery or inpatient. Figures below combine MOH transacted-bill data (procedure code SM714S, endoscopic sinus surgery/ethmoidectomy) with typical private-market ranges.

Public hospital, subsidised: based on MOH data, a subsidised day-surgery sinus operation has a typical total bill of roughly S$3,300 (about S$2,000-4,400); subsidised inpatient (Ward B2/C) bills are similar. Subsidies are means-tested and waiting times are longer.
Public hospital, unsubsidised (Ward A): typically around S$11,000-12,000.
Private: FESS commonly ranges about S$8,000-15,000; balloon sinuplasty roughly S$6,000-12,000. MOH benchmark total inpatient bills at private hospitals for this code sit higher for more complex or combined cases.

Combined procedures (e.g. FESS with septoplasty and turbinate reduction) increase the total. Always ask for a written, itemised quote covering surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist, facility/hospital charges and follow-up.

Financing: MediSave, subsidies and insurance

Medically-indicated sinus surgery is claimable under MediSave as a day-surgery or inpatient procedure, and is heavily subsidised for eligible patients at public hospitals.

MediSave (TOSP): endoscopic sinus surgery (e.g. SM714S) falls under the Table of Surgical Procedures, classified at Table 5C, with a surgical MediSave withdrawal limit of about S$2,770. Daily hospital-charge withdrawal limits apply on top, within annual MediSave rules.
Medical-necessity requirement: MediSave/subsidy use requires the surgeon to certify the operation is medically indicated, typically with documentation of failed medical therapy.
Subsidies: at public hospitals, means-tested government subsidies substantially lower the bill for Singapore Citizens and PRs.
Insurance: most Integrated Shield Plans cover sinus surgery (subject to deductible, co-insurance and rider terms).

Purely cosmetic nasal procedures are not MediSave-claimable. Confirm coverage with the hospital’s business office and your insurer before surgery.

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Best ENT Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
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ACL reconstruction: surgery & cost

Sources

Last updated 21 June 2026. Prices are typical market ranges gathered from the cited sources and vary by clinic, doctor and individual case — they are not quotes. This guide is general information, not medical advice; always consult a qualified, MOH-accredited doctor before any treatment.

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