OCEANN ENT
MINIMALLY INVASIVE SINUS PROCEDURES
Orange County Ear, Allergy, Nose & Neck (OCEANN) ENT
Minimally invasive sinus procedures are nonsurgical (you don’t need an incision), so they can be done in the office, and you’ll recover quickly. Our practitioners, at OCEANN, specialize in minimally invasive procedures that safely and effectively treat sinus conditions, such as chronic sinusitis. If you have questions about the methods available or whether you might be a good candidate, call the office in Huntington Beach, California, or request an appointment online.
WHAT IS A MINIMALLY INVASIVE SINUS PROCEDURE?
Minimally invasive surgery involves the use of specialized medical instruments, like endoscopes, that can access tiny spaces inside your nasal/sinus cavity and the back of the nose where the Eustachian tubes drain.
When our Surgeon performs a Minimally Invasive Sinus Procedure, they use an endoscope to magnify and visualize in an extremely detailed fashion the small anatomic structures inside the nose such as the sinus tract opening or Eustachian tube orifice in the back of the nose. The Surgeon then gently guides small tools and medical devices such as a tiny balloon catheter or shaver device through your nose, easily reaching all the structures inside your nasal cavity and sinuses that need to be opened to drain properly and to restore normal function.
With Minimally Invasive Sinus Procedures, you have significantly less tissue damage, less pain, less bleeding, and a quicker recovery, all while achieving the same desired result as traditional or "old school" Sinus Surgery.
At OCEANN ENT our amazing team of healthcare providers include: Kathy Yu-Syken, MD, FACS (Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor & Sinus Specialist), John Vincent Enverga, MSHS, PA-C (Otolaryngology Physician Assistant), and Stephanie Cho, MSHS, PA-C (Otolaryngology Physician Assistant). Get to know us and schedule an appointment with us today
Read more about our non-invasive procedures
OCEANN ENT
WHAT IS IN-OFFICE SINUS BALLOON DILATION?
Balloon Sinuplasty is considered a Minimally-Invasive Endoscopic Sinus Procedure, which results in little to no tissue removal. In recent scientific studies, this approach has proven to be just as durable as tradition Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) with less trauma, pain, and bleeding. A Sinus Balloon catheter is used as a tool to gently expand the obstructed sinus tract opening(s), allowing for proper drainage, then the Balloon is deflated and removed. This concept was derived from angioplasty, where a balloon is used to open blocked coronary arteries, prior to the invention of coronary artery stents. Some dissolvable packing may be used to stent the sinus tract(s) to maintain patency during the recovery period after the procedure. The time for healing and return to normal activity is usually faster, more in the range of 3-5 days as compared to traditional Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), which can result in a more lengthy (up to 2 weeks) recovery period. There also tends to be less bleeding, less risk of scarring, and less risk of complications as compared to traditional sinus surgery, which can cause more trauma to the sinuses and the surrounding anatomy.
Balloon Sinuplasty results in minimal removal of sinus and nasal tissue (a biopsy may be taken at the time of the procedure to send for Culture at the lab for determination of the organism causing bacterial or fungal infection, or a polyp may be biopsied or removed if obstructing a sinus tract), so there may be no need to pack the nose with gauze afterward, making recovery much more comfortable as well. Recovery is well tolerated with the prescribed medications, and patients report sinus congestion similar to what they would experience during a cold for a period of time after the procedure until the infection clears up.
This innovative technology has allowed us to help more patients achieve relief from chronic sinus and nasal disorders in an efficient and comfortable fashion, as the procedure can be performed in the office under local anesthesia with oral sedation, without the added risk of general anesthesia or the added cost of a facility fee (which would be incurred if the procedure were to be performed in a hospital or surgery center). A nerve block is performed prior to starting the Balloon Sinuplasty (after the nasal mucous membranes have been numbed with a topical anesthetic solution), similar to how it would be performed for dental work. A stronger sublingual sedative can also be administered at the OCEANN ENT Procedure Suite if patients require or request it, on a case-by-case as needed basis.
WHAT IS THE PROPEL® SINUS STENT?
The Propel steroid-eluting stent is a tiny, biocompatible device Dr. Yu-Syken places in the sinus opening after balloon dilation. As the stent physically supports the opening, it slowly releases steroids that help prevent scarring and inflammation during the healing process.
The stent promotes healing, helps keep the sinus open for a more extended period, and prevents sinusitis from recurring. After 30-45 days, the stent dissolves and leaves your body.
ABOUT SINUVA
SINUVA is a non-surgical treatment that shrinks nasal polyps and may be an alternative to surgery. SINUVA is for adults 18 years of age or older with nasal polyps who have had ethmoid sinus surgery.
What to Expect with SINUVA Sinus Implants?
OCEANN ENT
WHAT IS TURBINATE REDUCTION?
Turbinates are structures inside your nose that contain bone and soft tissue. The turbinates can become enlarged and swollen when you have sinusitis or allergic rhinitis. Enlarged turbinates can cause ongoing congestion.