Balloon Sinuplasty is an efficient way to treat chronic sinusitis. It is administered at an ear, nose and throat doctor’s office under local anesthesia for maximum safety and effectiveness.
Doctors use a thin catheter inserted into the sinus passage, with an inflatable balloon inside, to gently restructure bones in order to reduce bleeding and eliminate nasal packing altogether.
Infections
Since its introduction over a decade ago, balloon sinuplasty has quickly become one of the preferred procedures for treating chronic sinusitis. This minimally invasive surgery opens blocked sinus passages to improve breathing while alleviating symptoms that include facial pain and pressure, runny nose congestion loss of smell taste headache fatigue.
This procedure utilizes a flexible catheter with an inflatable balloon at its end. This catheter is then inserted through each nostril into the sinus opening and then gently inflated, stretching it in order to relieve pressure and inflammation while healing at its core. No cutting, removal of tissues, nasal packing or surgery are typically required – plus there is less bleeding and bruising associated with traditional sinus surgeries than with this procedure.
But as with any surgical procedure, infection may arise after balloon sinuplasty surgery. To minimize your risk of infection and avoid complications after treatment, it’s crucial to follow your physician’s instructions carefully – including taking any prescribed medications and following post-surgical care instructions, while avoiding activities which could irritate or aggravate the area.
After receiving sinus treatment, it’s also advisable to refrain from blowing your nose for at least a few days afterward, as doing so may irritate and even cause infection. Sleeping with your head elevated can help drain sinuses more effectively while relieving congestion pains.
Though the risk of infection following balloon sinuplasty is relatively low, it’s still important to watch for any telltale signs that indicate illness. If you experience persistent pain, swelling or discharge as well as fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or any other unusual symptoms it’s important to contact your physician as soon as possible in order to address them and address them properly.
Balloon sinuplasty is an efficient, safe and noninvasive treatment option for chronic sinusitis. Performed under local anesthesia in an office setting, balloon sinuplasty can significantly enhance quality of life for those who have tried antibiotics, decongestant nasal sprays and oral steroids without success; additionally it may be preferable if traditional Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) scares them away due to its lengthy recovery time and invasive nature. For more information about how balloon sinuplasty can improve your symptoms today contact us now!
Bleeding
As with any surgical procedure, balloon sinuplasty carries some risk of bleeding; however, this should typically be minor and easily treated with medication. If you tend to bleed profusely or suffer from conditions like anemia, please notify your ENT prior to having this procedure performed.
Many patients who undergo this surgery report relief from their sinus symptoms and an improvement in their sense of smell, too. Furthermore, this surgery is typically less costly than traditional sinus surgeries since it takes place at your physician’s office and you will not incur expensive hospital fees and copays; additionally, no anesthesiologist needs to be hired!
Before beginning, your doctor will apply a topical decongestant to the interior of your nose, before using an endoscope equipped with a camera to inspect inside it. They then insert a catheter equipped with an inflatable balloon on its tip which they slowly inflate to open sinus passages before flushing the sinuses with a saline solution to drain excess fluids.
Balloon sinuplasty is an effective solution for chronic sinusitis and severe rhinosinusitis that hasn’t responded to traditional medical therapies, yet. This minimally invasive procedure doesn’t cut or remove bone tissue, thus decreasing pain, bleeding and bruising post-op. Additionally, patients can return to regular activities more quickly.
Recovery time following sinus procedures generally ranges between one and two weeks. You should follow your ENT’s advice regarding how best to care for your sinuses; they have the best understanding of your individual situation. In many instances, they will advise against blowing your nose for several days as well as sleeping in an elevated position; it is wise to also avoid exercise that causes your head to drop below your heart, such as walking.
If you suffer from sinusitis and have tried other medical treatments such as medication without success, Houston Advanced Nose & Sinus offers balloon sinuplasty as an option to help alleviate symptoms. Our board certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Kuperan will evaluate your situation to see if balloon sinuplasty would be suitable.
Congestion
Not being able to stop your nose running, a severe sinus headache and chronic sinus infections can be extremely frustrating and annoying. If the same treatment options with horrible side effects continue failing you, perhaps now might be the time for something different?
Balloon Sinuplasty (BSP) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses balloons to open blocked sinuses and reduce inflammation, providing relief for chronic or severe sinusitis symptoms. Compared with traditional surgery procedures, BSP is less invasive, less risky, faster acting relief than medications and does not limit future treatment options.
An otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) performs this procedure using local anesthetic spray and an endoscope to view your nasal cavity. They will insert a small balloon in your sinus opening before gently expanding it to open up its passageway. After the sinus has been opened up sufficiently, they can remove the balloon.
Patients usually report feeling better immediately following a procedure and many return to work or other activities within two days of having completed it. While they may experience mild pain afterward, this can usually be managed using over-the-counter pain relief drugs.
BSP has proven effective against both chronic or recurrent sinusitis, as well as helping restore one’s sense of smell. However, it should be remembered that BSP may not be right for everyone; typically it should only be considered when medical treatments, like decongestants, nasal sprays and rinses or antibiotics fail to provide relief.
No matter the risk associated with sinus surgery, it’s still essential to follow your physician’s orders afterward and follow any recommended recovery practices. Avoiding strenuous activities, taking prescribed medication on time and using saline solution nasal rinses regularly are all proven ways of expediting healing quickly.
BSP may provide an ideal alternative to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). FESS requires removal of tissue and bone removal under general anesthesia in either a hospital or surgery center and can take four weeks or more for recovery. By contrast, BSP does not involve such steps requiring general anesthesia and recovery may take up to four weeks post surgery.
Pain
Sinusitis can typically be treated using saline washes and nasal sprays; if these therapies do not provide relief, balloon sinuplasty may be recommended as an effective minimally invasive endoscopic solution to open blocked sinus passageways and restore normal drainage patterns to relieve symptoms such as pain, itchiness, headaches, nose bleeds, jaw pain and sleep apnea.
Doctors performing balloon sinuplasty typically conduct the procedure in either an office or outpatient clinic, administering either general or local anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Once anesthesia has taken effect, they will use an endoscope, a thin tube with a camera on its end, to access your nostrils. Once there they will use a balloon catheter inserted over a wire guide from their endoscope in order to expand sinus openings while simultaneously gently restructure bone structures around your sinuses before deflating and taking its place – leaving your sinus passageways widened behind!
As this procedure is less invasive than traditional surgery, patients can expect a quicker recovery period and return to work and daily activities more rapidly. Furthermore, since no tissue cutting or removal occurs during this procedure, bleeding and swelling are reduced substantially – in many instances your doctor won’t even need to use nasal packing!
Before embarking on a balloon sinuplasty procedure, there are certain risks that should be taken into account. Your physician can identify these risk factors through a comprehensive preoperative evaluation including review of medical history, physical exam, diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests.
And those living with diabetes must closely manage their blood sugar levels prior to and following surgical procedures such as BSP’s minimally invasive approach, which helps minimize body stress while lessening any negative impact on diabetic patients’ control of blood sugar. Balloon sinuplasty’s success can depend on how effectively patients manage their diabetes during recovery and months following the operation.
