Dr. Yip believes in building lasting therapeutic relationships with his patients. His empathetic and caring approach ensures that every patient feels understood and supported throughout their treatment journey. Using minimally invasive techniques, he aims to minimize pain, reduce recovery times, enhancing patient safety, while enhancing treatment outcomes and the overall patient experience.
Almost all services are covered by Alberta Health. However, we do provide services to non-insured patients and some of the treatments we provide may not be covered by provincial or private insurance plans.
For the fairness of all patients, please arrive early as we strive to run on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late to your appointment, you may be rescheduled to avoid inconveniencing other patients. Please note that Dr. Yip only offers a limited number of appointments per day.
We ask that all new patients arrive at least 10 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment to allow time for parking and the completion of any paperwork (i.e. questionnaire).
In rare circumstances, acute sinus infections can spread to the eye and/or brain, which could cause eye swelling/pain, pain with eye movements, paralysis of eye muscle(s), vision changes, altered level of consciousness, fever, and/or neck stiffness. These are considered to be emergencies, and patients with such symptoms should present to the Emergency Department of their local hospital immediately.
In the past, the favoured techniques to approach the skull base were from above (transcranial approach) and from below (transfacial approach), commonly at the same time. The transcranial approach consists of a scalp incision followed by a craniotomy (removal of part of the skull). The brain is then retracted to reach the skull base. For the transfacial approach, it requires incisions on the face or inside the mouth that provide access to the sinuses and skull base. However, as technology has advanced, the majority of skull base pathologies are addressed endoscopically using the Endoscopic Endonasal Approach (EEA). This minimally invasive approach to the skull base is performed in conjunction with Neurosurgery at the Foothills Medical Centre. EEA is performed using a narrow telescope called an endoscope. A small area at the base of the skull is removed to allow direct access to the tumour or pathology, without manipulating the brain. It utilizes the concept of “inside out surgery” — starting directly at the tumour and working outward — eliminating the need to move critical structures to reach the tumour. In rare cases, we do need to combine EEA with traditional open approach(es), and our multidisciplinary team will tailor the best operation for each patient.
We also kindly ask that you bring your valid health card, and a list of medications and supplements that you are taking in order to ensure your medical record is up to date.
For a routine surgery, the nasal passage is filled with dissolvable packing and silastic stents/sheets. These remain in place for up to six weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery. This is easily removed prior to discharge from hospital or in the office. While the packing is in the nose, patients will often experience nasal blockage, reduce sense of smell and/or facial pressure. Once nasal packing is removed, patients are instructed to rinse their nasal cavity with saline (salt water) several times a day.
Patients are seen every few weeks initially for endoscopic examination and removal of nasal crusts. By six to eight weeks, the nose and sinuses have healed. By three to four months, healing is usually complete and crusting diminishes. Additional follow up depends on the diagnosis, need for additional therapy, and symptoms.
Patients are instructed to avoid activities that increase pressure of spinal/brain fluid inside the head (bending, lifting, straining, nose-blowing) for a month after surgery in order to minimize the risk of a spinal fluid leak. A spinal fluid leak is characterized by the drainage of clear fluid from the nose and/or salty metallic taste. If a spinal fluid leak is confirmed, another surgery will often be required.
Most patients will notice a decrease in smell and taste for several months following surgery due to decreased air flow through the nose. This will often recover as healing occurs.
