What Is Balloon Sinuplasty?
Balloon Sinus Dilation--new treatment option for recurrent and persistent sinusitis sufferers
Treating Sinusitis
More than 37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis every year, making it one of the most common health conditions in the country. Traditionally, those who suffer from the pain, pressure and other symptoms of recurring and persisting sinus infections have two routes to relief:
- medical therapy (antibiotics, steroids, etc.)
- functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)
Now, qualified patients have a new treatment option, a simple office procedure called balloon sinus dilation.
Benefits Of Balloon Sinus Dilation
Office based procedures performed under local anesthesia allow you to avoid the negative effects, costs or risks associated with general anesthesia.
How Is Balloon Sinuplasty Performed?
Balloon sinus dilation is a minimally invasive treatment option that can be performed by Dr. Gupta right here, in his office. The objective of balloon sinus dilation is to reshape anatomy to expand sinus pathways and restore drainage. The procedure utilizes small balloons placed in key places in the nose and sinus, which are then dilated to expand the sinus pathways. It may be an effective, lasting option for some patients whose symptoms do not resolve with medication.i
The balloon sinus dilation procedure may not require general anesthesia, and in many cases, the patient is able to resume normal activities within 24 hours.ii Dr. Gupta can determine if your condition is one that may benefit from balloon sinus dilation and can help you understand the risks and benefits of this treatment option.
Balloon sinus dilation technology may be used to treat certain conditions affecting the sinus above your eyebrows, behind your cheeks and eyes. Your physician will need to determine if your condition is one that may benefit from this treatment and can help you understand the risks and benefits of this procedure. To learn more about this procedure and the potential risks, ask your physician.
Caution: Federal (USA) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
i Stankiewicz, James MD, Truitt, Theodore MD, and Atkins, James MD. “One Year Results: Transantral balloon dilation of the ethmoid infundibulum” ENT Journal February 2010 Volume 89, Number 2
ii Stankiewicz, James, et al. “Transantral, endoscopically guided balloon dilation of the ostiomeatal complex for chronic rhinosinusitis under local anesthesia” AM J Rhinol Allergy: 23 1-00 (2009).
Minimally Invasive In-Office Sinusitis Treatment
Balloon sinus dilation is a minimally invasive treatment for chronic or recurrent sinusitis. In a balloon sinus dilation procedure, your physician uses a small balloon to dilate or expand the sinus opening and drainage pathways to restore sinus drainage.
Balloon sinus dilation can be performed in an office, under local anesthesia.
How Does Balloon Sinus Dilation Treat Chronic Sinusitis?
In chronic and recurrent sinusitis, blocked sinus drainage pathways can prevent effective drainage and healing. When first-line medication therapies fail to resolve symptoms and inflammation, or patients experience multiple bouts of sinusitis, balloon sinus dilation may be an appropriate treatment option.
The goal of balloon sinus dilation is to expand the sinus openings and drainage pathways in order to aid drainage and promote healing. After locating the treatment area and applying local anesthesia, your physician will place the small balloon, inflate the balloon to dilate the treatment area, and then deflate and remove the balloon.
How Long Does Balloon Sinuplasty Take?
Procedure length is dependent on your specific condition and anatomy. You should expect to spend around one and a half to two hours at the office, to allow time for pretreatment preparation and post-treatment examination. Consult Dr. Gupta to better understand the details of your procedure.
Will I Need Anesthesia For A Balloon Sinuplasty?
Balloon sinus dilation can be performed under local anesthesia, in an office.
In certain circumstances, balloon sinus dilation may also be used in combination with modern sinus surgery tools. In these instances, it may be performed in an operating room, under general anesthesia.
Returning To Normal Activity After Balloon Sinuplasty
Many patients resume normal activities immediately. Dr. Gupta may recommend you refrain from very strenuous activities (such as heavy lifting) for a week after the treatment.
Risks And Complications Of Balloon Sinuplasty
As with any medical intervention, potential risks and complications exist with balloon sinus dilation. All patients should consult their doctors to determine if their conditions present any special risks. Your physician will review the potential complications of balloon sinus dilation at the consultation. Possible side effects include but are not limited to post-operative bleeding; pain and swelling; allergic reaction to anesthesia or other medications administered during the procedure; or infection. Your condition may not respond to this treatment.
Is Balloon Sinuplasty Right For Me?
Only your physician can tell you if balloon sinus dilation is a viable option to treat your sinusitis. Experience has shown that many patients with recurring or persistent sinusitis can be treated with balloon sinus dilation.
Discuss Balloon Sinus Dilation With Dr. Gupta Today!
Dr. Gupta is a trained and experienced user of balloon sinus dilation technologies. Make an appointment with Dr. Gupta today to determine if balloon sinus dilation is right for you.