Concerns regarding brow bone reduction - is there a big risk for losing sensation? Can I have this procedure with sinusitis?

Question

I am always worried about losing sensation if I get brow bone reduction. How will my scalp and forehead feel if the sensation does not entirely go back? Also, as someone with sinusitis, how will the surgery affect it? Can I have the surgery even if I have sinusitis? Brow bone reduction has a lot of risks, as doctors, how will your technique reduce its risk?

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, happy to answer your questions. Generally speaking, the risk of permanent loss of sensation of the scalp and forehead is quite low. The sensory nerves that would be at risk are robust and easily identified in reliable locations. Having said that, some transient numbness is possible and not uncommon. The sinusitis question cannot be answered completely with the information you provided. If you are actively infected, you would require management and resolution of that issue first. If it is chronic (inflammatory) sinusitis, you would reduce your risk of infection with typical management by your ENT physician (sinus rinses, steroids, etc). Typically antibiotics are given perioperatively for forehead contouring surgery to further reduce risk of infection.
Best,Dr. Tower

Concerns regarding brow bone reduction - is there a big risk for losing sensation? Can I have this procedure with sinusitis?

Answers (1)