Balloon Sinuplasty is an innovative procedure that involves no cutting or removal of bone, performed under sedation at your doctor’s office and minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery that is more secure than traditional techniques.
Patients undergoing balloon sinuplasty typically experience relief of pain, pressure and congestion within one week of surgery. Minor nasal swelling should occur; this can be reduced with over-the-counter ibuprofen or prescribed pain killers.
What to Expect
For anyone suffering from chronic sinusitis, runny noses, constant congestion headaches and difficulty breathing due to nasal pressure problems, balloon sinuplasty may offer relief. This minimally invasive process offers relief quickly without experiencing pain or discomfort – providing an alternative option to more traditional surgeries.
Before your procedure begins, your ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) will apply topical decongestant and apply additional anesthetic using thick cotton pads placed inside your nostrils. They’ll then insert a small catheter through both nostrils into your sinuses with an inflatable balloon on its end that your doctor can inflate to help open and restructure sinus passageways to allow proper drainage once more.
Once your sinuses have been opened, your doctor will remove the balloon. They’ll then rinse your nasal passages and cavities with a saline solution to flush away any remaining debris; this helps ease pain, congestion, and decrease risk for future sinus infections.
Some patients experience minor bleeding and swelling after surgery. These side effects typically last only a few days while your sinuses heal, and may even cause your sinuses to drain bloody or yellow-colored mucus from your sinuses. While such side effects are generally harmless, if severe pain or excessive bleeding persists it’s wise to contact an ENT.
Though recovery times vary for each patient, most typically return to work and other daily activities within 24 hours following balloon sinuplasty surgery. Your ENT may advise rest and refraining from any physical activities which could increase nasal pressure or cause congestion for approximately a week post-procedure.
Your doctor will likely prescribe a sinus rinse, to be taken multiple times per day and used according to its instructions. Be mindful that blowing your nose too frequently could interfere with healing processes and increase discomfort.
Preparation
Before beginning their procedure, Houston ENT doctors will administer nasal numbing medications and decongestants in order to ensure your comfort throughout. This helps ensure that when treatment begins, sinuses are completely numbed. If not enough anesthesia is provided this way, additional local anesthetic will be injected directly into your nose in order to numb it even more effectively.
After numbing your nose, your ENT will insert the sinus balloon catheter and inflate it gently to open up sinus pathways and help promote drainage of sinuses and provide long-term relief from chronic sinusitis symptoms.
Patients undergoing the sinus balloon procedure report minimal discomfort and pain during surgery due to its non-destructive nature – no bones need be broken during this non-invasive technique – allowing their sinuses to heal quickly without complications or scar tissue formation.
To facilitate a swift recovery, it’s vital that you heed your doctor’s directions exactly. This may mean not blowing your nose for at least the first couple days as this may irritate tissues and worsen symptoms. Rinsing with saline solution provided by your physician at least every four hours (four sprays in each nostril is usually advised).
Additionally, during your recovery you should avoid taking medications which can increase bleeding such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen and naproxen, vitamin E supplements and herbal remedies as well as ginseng. Your ENT will review all current medication to make sure nothing could exacerbate bleeding issues during or post surgery.
Balloon Sinuplasty can provide an effective alternative for patients suffering from chronic sinusitis who require surgical interventions to clear out and prevent infections in their sinuses. With expert ENT surgeon guidance, this procedure can now be carried out quickly and conveniently from within their own homes with less recovery time than traditional sinus surgeries allowing you to resume normal activities sooner.
Procedure
Balloon Sinuplasty, an endoscopic sinus procedure used for over 15 years to reshape blocked nasal passageways without making incisions and without risking complications, has become popular.
Once sedated, Dr. Kuperan will insert a small camera into your nose to inspect and identify blocked pathways. He then guides a flexible balloon catheter towards this area; slowly inflating it will restructure and expand nasal passageways, helping the sinuses drain properly and thus decreasing inflammation and symptoms severity.
Under local anesthesia, this process takes place quickly in an office with minimal discomfort for most patients who elect it. Most will return to work and other normal activities within days after having undergone this treatment, many experiencing immediate relief from sinus pressure/pain/breathing issues as well as improved respiratory capabilities.
Some patients may experience minor headaches and nasal congestion after the procedure; these symptoms are easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers. Furthermore, it’s important to avoid taking medications which promote bleeding such as NSAIDS and blood thinners; consult your physician regarding possible restrictions.
Balloon sinuplasty typically does not result in heavy bleeding after surgery; many patients even do not require nasal packing after this process – which can be an enormous relief!
Recent studies demonstrated the procedure’s high rate of success when treating chronic sinusitis patients compared to conventional therapies such as oral medication, nasal decongestant sprays, and rinses. Furthermore, this treatment was safe with no impact on sinus linings or structures inside of your nose. To find out how we can help improve your quality of life with this effective technology solution for sinus issues, contact our office and schedule an appointment – we would be more than happy to answer any queries that you have and discuss all available solutions with us. Get in touch today so we can set up your appointment!
Recovery
Balloon Sinuplasty has become one of the most sought-after treatments for patients suffering from chronic sinusitis. The procedure can be performed in an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor’s office or clinic using local anesthesia and is more comfortable as it utilizes minimally-invasive techniques than traditional surgery with less downtime required afterwards.
As part of the procedure, your ENT will begin by inserting an endoscope into your nasal passages and cavities. This thin and flexible tube contains a light and camera to enable them to see inside your sinus cavities. When they reach an area where your sinuses are blocked, they will slowly move the endoscope tip until they find it and place a small balloon catheter over it which they then inflate to force open your sinuses by compressing bones slightly to open them further.
Patients typically only experience mild discomfort and congestion after undergoing the procedure, which should subside within 24-48 hours after treatment. To ensure an optimal experience and recovery process, always follow your physician’s advice as they have more of an in-depth knowledge about your individual situation than anyone else can.
Contrary to other sinus surgeries, balloon sinuplasty doesn’t involve cutting or incisions resulting in less pain, bruising and swelling as well as typically eliminating nasal packing needs. Due to this lower risk and faster recovery process many insurance companies now cover this procedure.
Some patients may experience minimal post-procedure bleeding. If this occurs, an ice pack should be applied directly to your nose and cheeks to reduce it and over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can also help manage any discomfort you experience.
Reducing stress levels and resting up after balloon sinuplasty surgery is essential to its success, while physical activities that might trigger swelling or sneezing should also be avoided for at least a week post-procedure. Furthermore, drinking plenty of fluids will prevent dehydration and speed the recovery process. Balloon sinuplasty can provide safe and effective relief to chronic sinusitis sufferers who do not respond well to medications; for more information regarding this minimally invasive procedure contact Dr. Kuperan today for an appointment!
