Chronic sinus pain and infections are making you miserable

Balloon sinuplasty may be particularly beneficial to patients that have had their sinus problems diagnosed early. For patients with chronic, long-lasting problems, the procedure may be effective for some, though not all, of their sinuses. Your surgeon will discuss with you whether or not you are a candidate for full or partial treatment using balloon sinuplasty, or may recommend traditional sinus surgery (FESS). Typically, patients with the following symptoms may benefit from the procedure:

• Recurrent sinus infections that do not respond to medication
• Headaches around the eyes
• Chronic bad breath and/or foul taste in the mouth
• Difficulty breathing through the nose

Balloon Sinuplasty
For in-office balloon sinuplasty, a physician carefully places a very small medical balloon into key sinus structures and then inflates the balloon to expand and remodel sinus structure. Tissue and bone are not cut away or removed, but reshaped.The long-term effectiveness of balloon sinuplasty has been confirmed in a growing body of clinical studies. Over 85% of patients saw significant improvements in their sinus symptoms. Ninety percent of patients would recommend the procedure to a family or friend. Work and life productivity increased significantly.For in-office balloon sinuplasty, a physician carefully places a very small medical balloon into key sinus structures and then inflates the balloon to expand and remodel sinus structure. Tissue and bone are not cut away or removed, but reshaped.

Traditional Sinus Surgery
‍In Traditional Sinus Surgery or FESS, tissue and bone are cut away by the physician using surgical cutting instruments. The sinus openings are expanded through the cutting away and removal of bone and tissue.For Traditional FESS, a broad range of studies have demonstrated statistically significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life following surgery.

Balloon Sinuplasty: Yes. If you are an in-office balloon dilation candidate, your procedure can be performed while you are awake without the need for general anesthesia. A typical office balloon dilation procedure lasts forty-five minutes. Of course, balloon dilation may be performed in the operating room under general anesthesia for patients who elect to do so or are not in office medical candidates. Your physician will fully discuss these options with you.

Traditional Sinus Surgery: No. Traditional FESS is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia, with the patient fully asleep. Most patients are allowed to return home the same day.

Balloon Sinuplasty: 1 to 2 days. A faster recovery is a key benefit of balloon dilation. Since anatomy is reshaped by a balloon and not removed, most patients are able to return to normal activity within 24-48 hours. There is less pain, swelling and typically no bleeding as compared to traditional sinus surgery.

Balloon Sinuplasty: 1 to 2 days. A faster recovery is a key benefit of balloon dilation. Since anatomy is reshaped by a balloon and not removed, most patients are able to return to normal activity within 24-48 hours. There is less pain, swelling and typically no bleeding as compared to traditional sinus surgery.

Balloon Dilation: No. A follow-up procedure is rarely needed since anatomical structures are reshaped by a balloon without the necessity of cutting.

Traditional Sinus Surgery: Often. Since tissue is cut and removed in Traditional FSS, crusting can occur as the remaining tissue heals. To remove this crust and tissue remnants an ENT often must perform a nasal debridement one or more times in the weeks following the procedure, in additional to nasal packing.