Balloon Sinuplasty (BS) is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure commonly performed under local anesthesia at hospitals or ambulatory surgery centers, although it may also be carried out in an ENT doctor’s office.
This procedure involves inserting a flexible balloon catheter into the sinus passageway and slowly inflating it to clear away blockages without cutting or extracting tissue or bone.
Mucus Drainage
Mucus drainage is an unexpected yet painful result of sinusitis, usually manifested as thick yellow or green fluid dripping out from nostrils or throat. Other symptoms may include pressure on nose, cheeks or forehead; difficulty breathing through nose; pressure between nostrils and forehead and difficulty in breathing through nose; these conditions all need treatment from their doctor to improve. If these are present for you then speak to them immediately so they can provide suitable remedies that can relieve them.
Balloon Sinuplasty is an innovative minimally invasive procedure performed by an otolaryngologist with expertise in sinus surgery. Unlike FESS – traditional sinus surgery performed under general anesthesia at a hospital operating room and which involves cutting and removing tissue and bone – balloon sinuplasty is performed endoscopically without making incisions or cuts, and involves no pain, risk of infection, blood loss or bruising; its faster recovery results in less days missed from work/school activity and faster return to normal activities more quickly as well.
Before the procedure begins, your doctor will apply a topical decongestant and anesthetic spray to numb the area within your nostrils. Next, you will sit comfortably on a reclining examination chair as they thread a guide wire catheter equipped with a small balloon through one nasal nostril to gain access to blocked sinus passageways; they then inflate this balloon using it to widen them further.
Balloon sinuplasty is generally very safe, with only minor discomfort and swelling as side effects. Most patients reported significant symptom relief along with healthier and more open sinuses on X-ray three to six months following treatment.
One of the more serious complications of sinus surgery can be nerve, muscle or bone damage to the sinuses. Luckily, such damage is unlikely when performed by an experienced physician in balloon sinuplasty – something Dr. Cohen is particularly adept at doing with thousands of procedures done and training other doctors in this advanced technique.
Mucus drainage, nose pain, headaches, snoring and the loss of smell are among the symptoms associated with sinus infections. If this describes you, it is imperative that you visit a healthcare provider immediately in order to receive medical advice and get proper diagnosis and treatment.
Nasal Congestion
Sinusitis causes your nasal passages to become blocked with excess mucus, leading to difficulty breathing, headaches and jaw pain if left untreated. Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally-invasive surgical solution used to relieve this condition; opening up blocked sinus passages by dilatering drainage pathways allows fluid drainage through. Reducing symptoms while improving quality of life without scarring, bruising or bleeding associated with more invasive procedures is the goal here.
As part of this procedure, you will sit comfortably on a chair while your doctor applies topical anesthetic to reduce any potential discomfort during treatment. They then use a thin tube equipped with light to insert a balloon into one of your sinus passages before inflating and deflating it to open up that passageway; once open, saline solution will be used to flush it out afterwards.
After having balloon sinuplasty surgery, it’s vitally important that patients follow post-surgery instructions issued by their doctors in order to minimize complications and ensure optimal healing. You should avoid blowing your nose for at least several days post-op and use saline rinses in order to keep sinuses moist – this helps avoid infections, clots, and swelling during recovery.
Although complications from surgery are rarely severe, any procedure involves risks that should be considered carefully. You may experience minor bleeding following the procedure which should resolve on its own within a few days or so; if severe pain arises afterward you should contact your physician immediately. Another potential complication from this surgery includes your senses of smell and taste possibly changing after it.
Your risk can be minimized by selecting a surgeon with extensive training and experience performing this procedure, like Dr. Kuperan – an ear, nose and throat surgeon renowned for performing many successful balloon sinuplasty procedures with outstanding outcomes that offer safe yet effective relief.
Ear Pain
Balloon Sinuplasty is an alternative way of treating chronic or recurrent sinusitis that involves no cutting or bone removal; using balloon technology instead to open blocked sinuses before flushing them out with fluid. This procedure can often be completed in-office and is generally covered by insurance; in addition to helping improve breathing, this procedure may even restore your sense of smell!
Your ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor will use an image-guided CT scan to guide a small catheter through your nasal passageways in order to introduce a balloon, which will then be inflated and used to reshape and open blocked sinus passageways similar to how stents open blocked arteries.
Once inflated, your ENT surgeon will use a balloon to drain your sinuses and potentially perform a functional endoscopic nasal sinus (FESS) procedure to further clear mucus and debris out of your nose. After your procedure you may experience bloody discharge, sinus pressure/pain and reduced sense of smell for up to four days; but typically normal activities resume within 24 hours.
There may be risks associated with this procedure, including bleeding and infection; however, these are typically minor and don’t tend to arise in most patients. Therefore, it’s essential that you follow your ENT doctor’s instructions for preparation and recovery after the procedure.
Your otolaryngologist will review your medical history and testing results before determining whether BSP may be beneficial to you. It’s especially effective for people who have already tried other medication management approaches like steroids and antibiotics but continue to experience chronic or recurrent sinusitis symptoms.
Your otolaryngologist will administer anesthesia before initiating balloon sinus dilation in a clinic procedure room, with results typically being seen within an hour and much quicker recovery than traditional sinus surgeries. Following surgery, it’s important to avoid straining or strenuous activity and sleep in a position which helps drain. Furthermore, it’s advised that you refrain from blowing your nose afterward as this could worsen drainage, while taking acetaminophen if there is pain or pressure present in your sinuses.
Headache
Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally-invasive surgery used to relieve sinus infections and symptoms associated with chronic sinusitis. It’s less traumatic than traditional sinus surgeries and typically leads to faster healing times – most patients return to work or other normal activities within 24 hours after undergoing the procedure. But balloon sinuplasty may carry certain risks that should be understood before proceeding with treatment.
As part of your procedure, you will sit in a reclining examination chair while your provider applies an anesthetic spray to the outside of your nose. Once completely numb, an endoscope (thin tube with light on one end) will be inserted into each nostril of your nostrils for examination. An endoscope can help your doctor visualize the inside of your nose and sinus passageways, insert a balloon catheter through it to reach areas with blocked sinuses, then inflate it once in place. This procedure will gradually open your sinus passageways to improve drainage. While you may experience some nasal congestion following this treatment, this should last only a few days and be eased with over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen. Rinsing with saline solution to keep sinuses moist can also promote healing and help speed recovery time.
After your balloon sinuplasty, there may be side effects that should subside within a week, including bloody discharge, sinus pressure and fatigue. It is recommended to refrain from blowing your nose during this period as well as participating in strenuous activities; sleeping with your head elevated may help ease discomfort.
Other complications related to balloon sinuplasty may include rare instances of nerve, muscle or bone damage – these instances tend to be quite rare however and it is essential that you select an experienced sinus surgeon for this procedure.
Balloon sinuplasty may pose some risks, but its advantages far outweigh these concerns. This minimally invasive procedure restores sinuses back to their natural state while improving quality of life without pain, recovery time or extended downtime that traditional surgery might cause. Furthermore, balloon sinuplasty is often covered by insurance when medically necessary – making it an economical and accessible treatment option.
