In the early 1980s, Glenn George, chief engineer in SMC’s facilities department, had polyps removed from his sinuses.
After nearly 30 years, those polyps returned.
“I constantly had a sore throat when I woke up because I was breathing through my mouth,” George said. “It’s like being stuffed up but without the relief of blowing your nose.”
George went to see Dr. Jessie Clairvil, SMC Otolaryngologist — an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician — in 2018 to have them removed once again.
According to Dr. Clairvil, polyps are usually caused by chronic allergies. The tissue that lines the nasal cavity and sinuses is traumatized by constant inflammation.
“Polyps look like balloons filled with mucous that form in the sinuses and extend into the nasal cavity,” she said.
After visiting Dr. Clairvil, George was scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery and polypectomy — a same-day, outpatient procedure.
“I went to the (SMC) OR and the nurses were great, first class all the way,” he said. “During the surgery, Dr. Clairvil removed the polyps, but also found some other things in there that she wanted to clean up. She went above and beyond.”
Since that surgery, George hasn’t had any problems breathing through his nose.
“Automatically, when you wake up from the surgery, you can already breathe so much better,” he said. “I would definitely recommend this procedure for anyone who has polyps.”
After the surgery, George was back to work in less than four days.
“He was an excellent patient and followed all post-surgery instructions,” Dr. Clairvil said. “He didn’t have much bleeding and healed well.”
George’s overall experience was a pleasant one.
“I like how Dr. Clairvil explains everything,” he said. “She explains what she has to do. There’s no rushing around and she gives you every detail. She’s great.”
Even though polyps can reform, Dr. Clairvil said new technology and advances in ENT address the polyps more completely, helping them to not reform as quickly which reduces repeated surgeries.
Dr. Clairvil has served the Salem and Gloucester county area for the past 15 years. She provides surgical services in endoscopic sinus surgery with image guidance, minimally invasive sinus surgery, nasal surgery for management of nasal obstruction, surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea, laryngeal surgery/diagnostic laryngeal procedures, pediatric myringotomy tube insertion and other diseases of the ear, pediatric and adult tonsillectomies, management of oral masses/lesion and biopsies of head and neck masses.
For more information regarding ENT services, contact Dr. Clairvil’s office at 856-339-0800.