Balloon Sinuplasty™ for Chronic Sinusitis

Safe and effective, Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive, breakthrough sinus surgery procedure performed by ENT doctors that opens sinus passages to relieve sinus pain and sinus pressure associated with chronic sinusitis.

Sinusitis Overview

Sinusitis (also called rhinosinusitis) affects 37 million people each year, making it one of the most common health problems in the U.S. It is more prevalent than heart disease and asthma and has a greater impact on quality of life than chronic back pain or congestive heart failure.

Sinusitis manifests as inflammation of the sinus lining that prevents normal mucus drainage through the nose. This blockage causes mucus to build up in the sinuses and can lead to very uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Nasal discharge or discolored postnasal drainage
• Nasal obstruction or congestion
• A feeling of congestion or fullness in your face
• A reduced sense of smell and taste.
• Pus in the nasal cavity
• Fever
• Sinus headaches
• Bad breath
• Fatigue
• Dental pain

Types of Sinusitis

Depending on the duration of the symptoms, it can be classified into one of several types:

• Acute (less than 4 weeks)
• Subacute (4-12 weeks)
• Chronic (more than 12 weeks)

If you experience 4 or more episodes of acute sinusitis per year, you could have Recurrent Acute Rhinosinusitis.

A Look into the Sinuses

The sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull (i.e. the frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid and maxillary) which serve to lighten the skull and give resonance to the voice. The purpose of the sinuses, which open into the nasal cavity, is to generate mucus to keep the nose from drying out during breathing and to trap unwanted materials so that they do not reach the lungs.

Each sinus has an opening that allows mucus to drain – this drainage is essential to keeping your sinuses working well and you healthy. Anything that obstructs that flow may cause a buildup of mucus and lead to a sinus infection.

HOW IS BALLOON SINUPLASTY PERFORMED?

The procedure is advanced to where it can be performed right in the ENT doctor’s office under local anesthesia. The doctor begins by inserting a small, flexible balloon catheter into the nose to reach the inflamed sinus. The sinus balloon is slowly inflated to restructure the blocked nasal passage to facilitate drainage of the excess mucus.  When the sinus balloon is inflated, it restructures and widens the walls of the sinus passageway while maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining.

Unlike conventional sinus surgery, Balloon Sinuplasty preserves the normal anatomy of the sinuses and mucosal tissue, and does not require the removal of bone and tissue.

While recovery time varies with each patient, most patients who undergo the in-office procedure can return to normal activities and work within a few days.

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How long does it take to recover?

Patients are capable of driving themselves home within 10-15 minutes after their Balloon Sinuplasty treatment, provided they have not received pre sedative medication.  Because it is an outpatient procedure, patients often feel capable of completing their normal daily activities within 12 hours. Ultimately, the recovery time varies from patient to patient.

More Knowledge

For Balloon Sinuplasty Post-Operative Instructions – click here.

For more information about Balloon Sinuplasty™ visit www.balloonsinuplasty.com