Balloon Sinuplasty of Lone Tree
Balloon sinuplasty is a less invasive endoscopic sinus procedure for chronic sinusitis patients seeking relief from uncomfortable sinus pain symptoms. It is very effective in opening blocked sinus passageways and restoring normal sinus drainage.
During the procedure, a tiny balloon is placed into the nose to reach the blocked sinuses, and the balloon is then inflated under the view of an endoscope to restructure the sinus opening. Congested sinus cavities are safely drained with a saline solution, cleaning out accumulated pus and mucus. The balloon is then removed and the sinuses remain clear, reducing the recurrence of symptoms and providing patients with long-lasting, much-needed relief.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis, also called rhinosinusitis, generally occurs when viruses or bacteria infect the sinuses (often during a cold) and begin to multiply. Part of the body’s reaction to the infection causes the sinus lining to swell, blocking the channels that drain the sinuses. This causes mucus and pus to fill up the nose and sinus cavities.
Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis occurs when the nose and sinus passages become swollen and inflamed, leading to a build-up of mucus as well as blockage of the drainage pathways. This condition often leads to recurrent sinus infections and painful symptoms.
Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis symptoms include congestion, swelling, discolored discharge, cough, post-nasal drip, facial pain and pressure, headaches, and a diminished sense of smell. For some patients, chronic symptoms are worsened when infections occur simultaneously with the underlying condition.
When chronic sinusitis symptoms cannot be controlled with medications and other treatments, balloon sinuplasty is recommended as a more permanent treatment option.
Balloon Sinuplasty FAQs
FDA cleared the device used for balloon sinuplasty in 2005.
Clinical research confirms that this procedure has been effective in opening blocked sinus passageways and relieving uncomfortable sinus pain symptoms for patients.
Balloon sinuplasty is often recommended for patients who suffer from chronic and recurrent acute sinusitis who don’t respond to medication.
You may be a candidate for balloon sinuplasty if you have experienced any of the following symptoms on a recurrent basis:
- Facial Pain
- Facial Pressure
- A Sinus Headache
- Discharge of Yellow or Green Mucus from the Nose
- Sinus Pressure or Congestion
- Decreased Sense of Smell or Taste
- Difficulty Breathing from the Nose
- A Sore Throat from Nasal Discharge
- Teeth Pain
- Fatigue
- Bad Breath
And if your doctor has
- Prescribed sinus medication for you several times in the past year to address your condition;
- Documented for you four or more recurrent sinus infections in the past year; and
- Referred you to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist.
If you have had chronic sinusitis lasting longer than 12 weeks, you should see an ENT doctor for a diagnosis.
Balloon sinuplasty is an FDA-cleared procedure and has been performed on hundreds of thousands of patients since 2005. It is a safe procedure, as there is no cutting of nasal bone or tissue. This makes it a less invasive treatment as compared to traditional sinus surgery.
For a few days before surgery, patients are instructed to start antibiotics and/or steroids in order to decrease inflammation. For office-based procedures, patients may eat or drink a light snack prior to their procedure.
On the day of the procedure, the patient will be taken to a procedure room and given topical medications in the nose to help decongest and numb the area. A little while later the patient will be given an injection of lidocaine to numb the sinus area. Once the area is appropriately numbed, the procedure will begin.
Local anesthesia (lidocaine) is used for office-based procedures to ensure patient comfort. If the procedure is done in an operating room or ambulatory surgery center, general anesthesia is often used.
Yes, the balloon catheters used in the procedure are made of plastic and do not contain any latex.
Balloon sinuplasty is an in-office procedure that typically lasts 1 hour.
Every patient is different, but on average most patients return to work and normal activities within 2 days. Since balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, nasal packing, stitches or other dressings are not required, allowing the patient to recover more quickly.
After surgery, there may be some bloody nasal discharge and headaches for a day or two, but these side effects usually subside rather quickly.
Most patients experience a lasting benefit from their balloon sinuplasty treatment and experience a significant reduction in sinusitis symptoms. Like with most procedures, however, there are some patients who may need to repeat the procedure or have an alternative procedure done at some point.
Most insurance companies and Medicare cover balloon sinuplasty. To be sure of coverage, patients should contact their insurance provider.
Many times, patients who are not a candidate for balloon sinuplasty alone, may have the procedure performed in combination with other procedures, such as a septoplasty. This is usually the case for patients who may have a nasal obstruction (e.g., a deviated septum or enlarged inferior turbinates), where other corrective procedures may be required and performed at the same time as a balloon procedure. Although these combination procedures are oftentimes performed under a general anesthetic, using the balloon as an adjunct procedure greatly increases its effectiveness and usually shortens the recovery time. When multiple procedures are performed, this may require the patient to go to an operating room or ambulatory surgery center for care.
Balloon sinuplasty isn’t 100% effective for all patients. Some patients may require a second procedure or an adjunctive procedure like a septoplasty or turbinate reduction in order to alleviate their sinusitis symptoms.
The main difference between balloon sinuplasty and traditional sinus surgery is that balloon sinuplasty is a less invasive treatment option for patients. With traditional sinus surgery, bone and tissue are removed to enlarge the sinus opening, clear blocked sinuses, and restore normal sinus drainage. Since traditional sinus surgery is a more invasive surgical procedure, recovery time is longer, and patients experience more pain and scarring.
Balloon sinuplasty is an effective sinus pain relief solution that offers patients several benefits, such as:
- Provides Long-Term Relief
- Eliminates Chronic Sinus Conditions
- Increases Air Flow in Nasal Passages
- Improves Drainage and Natural Healing
- Alleviates Headaches
Contact Us
Contact Integrated ENT today at (303) 706-1616 to see if balloon sinuplasty is right for you.
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Source
Weiss, Raymond L., et al. “Long-Term Outcome Analysis of Balloon Catheter Sinusotomy: Two-Year Follow-Up.” Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, vol. 139, no. 3_suppl_1, 2008.