Balloon Sinuplasty
If you’re suffering from chronic sinusitis and have exhausted your treatment options, you may be a candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty. This minimally invasive surgical solution is a safe and effective method of enlarging your sinus passages for easier breathing and a drastic reduction in sinusitis symptoms.
What Is Sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis is a widespread condition affecting 37 million Americans. This inflammation of the sinuses occurs when the sinus opening becomes blocked, preventing mucus from draining properly. It causes cold-like symptoms that include congestion, runny nose, sore throat, facial pain and swelling, loss of smell or taste, bad breath, fatigue and headache.
It is most often caused by viral infections, but can also occur as a result of nasal polyps, a deviated septum or head trauma. Medical solutions work for some, but others continue to suffer despite numerous attempts using a variety of treatments. Balloon Sinuplasty may be the answer.
What’s Different About Balloon Sinuplasty?
Conventional sinus surgical procedures involve cutting and excision of bone and tissue, a process that may cause pain and scarring and requires a recovery period.
In comparison, Balloon Sinuplasty is quick and takes about an hour. It is relatively painless, and has a lower risk of complications and side effects. It is FDA-approved and considered a safe alternative to endoscopic sinus surgery.
How Is Balloon Sinuplasty Performed?
Balloon Sinuplasty is typically performed in an outpatient setting, either in an outpatient surgery center or in the ENT physician’s office. You’ll be given either a general or a combination of topical/local anesthetics in preparation of the procedure. A balloon catheter, a soft flexible device, is inserted through the nasal opening and into your inflamed sinus cavity. Proper location of the catheter can be confirmed in several ways: a light at the tip of the catheter, a camera inside the nose, and/or a navigation system fused with the balloon tip. The balloon is then inflated in order to enlarge the sinus opening and widen the walls of the nasal passages.
A saline solution may be sprayed into the cavity to flush out mucus and other debris; the catheter is then removed. The end result is open sinuses that enable normal breathing and drainage of fluids. Up to 95 percent of patients report a significant improvement in sinus symptoms following this procedure.
The advantages of Balloon Sinuplasty procedure over the traditional sinus surgery are as follows:
- Safe and effective and can even be used to treat some sinusitis conditions in children.
- Enlarges the opening of the sinuses without any cutting or removal of bone or soft tissue, protecting the normal anatomy and tissue lining of the sinuses.
- Less invasive—meaning minimal bleeding, less pain after the procedure and faster recovery. Most patients return to normal activities and work within 24 to 48 hours.
- Can be used along with other sinus treatment options.
- Does not limit future sinus treatment options.
Call DeFatta ENT & Allergy at (715) 828-2368 for more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our sinus specialists to see if balloon sinuplasty is right for you.
