This increasingly popular outpatient procedure is a minimally invasive surgical option for the treatment of blocked sinuses. It involves no cutting or loss of nasal tissues or bone, and the recovery time is short.

This technology utilizes an endoscopic sinus-balloon catheter to open up blocked sinus passageways in order to restore normal sinus drainage. The catheter is placed through the nose to dilate the sinus openings. Balloon sinuplasty gently restructures and widens the walls of the nasal passageway while maintaining the integrity of the sinus linings. After widening the blocked nasal passage(s), the doctor flushes out or removes the congestion, often using a saline solution. Often called “angioplasty for the nose”, this innovative procedure can offer permanent results, and does not require implants or additional support.

This procedure is generally performed on adults without nasal polyps or tumors. Candidates have a chronic blockage in a sinus specific area(s) including the cheeks (maxillary sinuses), forehead (frontal sinuses) or back of the nose (sphenoid sinuses). This condition has lead to the sinus membranes becoming inflamed, preventing the drainage of mucus, pus, and discharge, along with severe congestion. Patients suffering from acute sinus inflammation and blockage in the nose, sinusitis or chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) for more than 12 weeks, are all candidates.

Conditions that are treated with balloon sinuplasty include stuffy nose, congestion, facial pressure, runny nose, loss of sense of smell.

Balloon sinuplasty is:

• Safe and effective

• Minimally invasive

• Lowered risk of bleeding

• Offers a fast recovery time

• No intended damage or removal of sinus tissues, structures, mucous membranes, nasal bones, or sinus cartilage

• Few reported side effects or complications

• Does not limit future treatment options

Balloon sinuplasty is usually performed under general or local anesthesia, and takes about one hour. After either form of anesthesia has been administered, the doctor will insert into the nasal passages a thin, flexible plastic tube with a camera and light on the end known as an endoscope. Once the entrance to the nasal cavity is reached, the doctor will slowly advance a small balloon catheter over the guiding endoscope wire.

Once the balloon catheter is correctly positioned inside the nasal passage and cavity, the balloon is slowly inflated and pressed against the sinus walls, fracturing the bone slightly, and forcing an opening. When the balloon is fully-inflated, the doctor flushes out the nasal passageways and cavities with a saline rinse to further remove any remaining debris. Finally, the balloon is removed and the sinus is left to drain naturally.

Most people who undergo balloon sinuplasty report feeling sinus pressure or numbness during the procedure, but no noticeable pain.

After the balloon sinuplasty, you will remain in the outpatient setting until the patient feels comfortable enough to leave. It is recommended that the patient have someone to drive them to and from the appointment. The patient may need to rest at home for 24 to 48 hours after their procedure.

Balloon sinuplasty may cause some minor symptoms, but these usually resolve shortly after surgery. As with any nasal procedure, the patient may experience nasal congestion after balloon sinuplasty. This congestion generally lasts a few days, and saline rinses are recommended to help relieve the congestion.

Minor side effects include:

• Bleeding or bloody drainage for a few days

• Nasal, cheek, or forehead tenderness

• Minor swelling in nasal cavities, passages, and surrounding facial area

• Congestion

It is usually recommended that the patient refrain from:

•Blowing their nose for 24 to 48 hours

• If feeling congested, sleep with elevated head

• Avoid strenuous activity for the first week following surgery.

You will usually be seen by the doctor one week after the procedure, then three months later, and finally, one year later.

While the recovery time after a balloon sinuplasty varies with each patient, the duration is relatively short. Most patients are able to return to normal activities between 24 to 48 hours after their procedure.