OCEANN ENT
IN OFFICE BALLOON SINUPLASTY
WHAT IS BALLOON SINUPLASTY?
Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally-invasive procedure that helps widen the sinus passageways to improve breathing and reduces the risk and occurrence of sinus infections. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia in the office or sometimes in more complex cases on an outpatient basis, which means you'll go home soon afterward. During this procedure, a thin probe or catheter is inserted through the nostril into the sinus cavity.
Once in position, a tiny balloon at the end of the catheter is inflated, gently widening the sinus passageway. Once the narrowed area has been opened, the balloon is then deflated and removed along with the catheter, restoring normal breathing and drainage.
Frontal Sinus Balloon Dilation with Image Guidance 1
OCEANN ENT
WHAT BENEFITS DOES BALLOON SINUPLASTY OFFER COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL SINUS SURGERY?
Balloon Sinuplasty is considered a minimally-invasive Endoscopic Sinus Procedure, which results in little to no tissue removal. The Sinus Balloon 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 Sinus Surgery, 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 causes 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 anesthestic 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.
HOW CAN I TELL IF BALLOON SINUPLASTY MIGHT BE A GOOD OPTION FOR ME?
Left Sphenoid Sinus Balloon Dilation with Image Guidance 1