Balloon sinuplasty is a safe and effective in-office procedure that treats chronic sinusitis and recurrent acute sinusitis. The symptoms associated with chronic sinusitis often include sinus pressure and pain, headaches, frequent sinus infections, decreased sense of smell, and unrelenting congestion. Patients with these symptoms can benefit from the long-lasting effects of balloon sinuplasty. Sinus surgeries have traditionally treated sinusitis by removing parts of the actual bone and tissue to restructure the sinuses, but balloon sinuplasty is much less invasive. Balloon sinuplasty helps the sinuses drain better by expanding the passageways with a balloon, very similar to the technique used to dilate arteries in angioplasties.
Balloon sinuplasty is performed in the comfort of your doctor’s office. Only local anesthesia is needed making balloon sinuplasty not only effective but convenient and less costly than sinus procedures done in the hospital. The procedure typically takes about an hour depending on the number of sinuses that need expanding. Because only local anesthesia (given through a medicated nasal spray or light sedation with medication) is needed, recovery is quick compared to other sinus procedures. Most people are back to work, school, or other daily activities within a day or two.
During the procedure, a small flexible guidewire is inserted into the nasal passageways and gently guided up into the sinus. A balloon is then inserted over the guidewire; and once in place, slowly expanded to widen the blocked sinus passageway. Once the passageway from the sinus is expanded, the sinus can drain more effectively. Many sinus sufferers feel relief almost immediately. After the balloon is inflated, it is simply deflated and gently removed leaving the sinus restructured and properly functioning. Balloon sinuplasty causes little to no discomfort, but some post-procedure swelling and congestion are to be expected. Within three to four weeks, the full benefits of the procedure will start to become apparent.