If you suffer from sinusitis symptoms such as bloody noses and congestion that makes breathing difficult, there is help available to you. Balloon sinuplasty is an minimally invasive procedure which uses an inflatable surgical balloon to open inflamed sinus passages and reopen the nasal airways.
Recovery times from this non-invasive procedure are much shorter than traditional surgeries. Dr. Jonathan Wiggenhorn from Estrella ENT has been trained in this cutting edge, minimally invasive technology.
Preparing for the Procedure
Your ENT doctor likely won’t require extensive preparation prior to performing balloon sinuplasty; however, it is still crucial that you are well informed so you know what to expect and can make an informed decision based on your medical history.
Balloon sinuplasty is an in-office, minimally invasive procedure used to unclog sinuses obstructed by inflammation or blockage due to deviated septum or other causes. A catheter insertion device inserts an inflatable balloon into the blocked sinus cavity and gently opens it so the wall can heal over time – an FDA-approved process which has helped millions of patients worldwide over time.
Before beginning, your ear, nose and throat doctor will apply topical anesthetic to ensure no discomfort during the procedure. Next, you will sit comfortably on a reclining exam chair as your doctor uses image guidance and light source technology to insert a catheter through the nose with an inflatable balloon attached. As needed, multiple times may be inflated until all parts of the sinus openings have been opened up.
As soon as your procedure is over, you will be given a saline rinse to clean out and maintain healthy nasal passageways. Over-the-counter pain relievers may also be provided if any discomfort arises afterward; most patients can return to work and other daily activities within 24-48 hours after receiving this treatment.
Before any procedure, it is crucial that you bring a list of medications you are currently taking – including over-the-counter and herbal products – including those taken over-the-counter and herbal. Your ear, nose and throat doctor can use this information to assist in avoiding potential complications during your surgery and rest with your head elevated following it in order to promote drainage and healing.
The Day of the Procedure
If your chronic sinusitis symptoms include runny nose, congestion, sneezing, loss of smell or taste, facial pain and pressure, headache, fatigue and bad breath that have not responded to medications or nasal rinses, then balloon sinuplasty could be your solution. This revolutionary procedure enables an ENT surgeon to enlarge sinus openings without cutting bone or tissue from within your sinuses; decreasing healing time drastically. Safe and minimally invasive, the procedure takes place under local anesthesia at their office in office environment
Your ENT surgeon will use a flexible catheter with a balloon attached at its end to insert into your sinus cavity, where it will then be inflated – this will enlarge your sinus opening, enabling it to drain more effectively and increase drainage rates.
Once your sinus opening has been altered, your ENT surgeon will remove the catheter and balloon, and your sinuses should return to draining normally. While everyone’s recovery period from balloon sinus dilation varies, patients typically resume work or regular activities within 24 hours or so of having undergone their procedure.
Balloon sinuplasty is often performed alongside other sinus procedures, including septoplasty and turbinate reduction, for optimal results in patients. Your ENT will assess which combination would work best in your individual case during your consultation appointment.
Recurrent sinus infections are caused by inflammation of the lining of your sinus cavities, known as sinusitis. Symptoms may include pain and pressure in your sinuses, nose or head; thick mucus that does not drain properly; impaired sense of smell or taste; headache; and fever.
Although many medications can help alleviate or alleviate sinusitis symptoms, for some patients these medications only provide temporary relief or may only work temporarily. Furthermore, some individuals have anatomical conditions which require more invasive surgery such as deviated septum or nasal polyps. If this is the case for you, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) could be your ideal treatment option.
The Day After the Procedure
Balloon sinuplasty is an innovative procedure designed to alleviate the discomfort, pressure and drainage caused by chronic sinusitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the sinus cavities lining that makes them an incubator for bacteria, viruses and fungi. Unlike traditional sinus surgery, which requires cutting bone or tissue removal procedures under general anesthesia before hospitalization for recovery purposes, balloon sinuplasty requires no anesthetic effects so patients can return home quickly after it’s completed allowing patients to resume daily life once its effects wear off.
Your Maryland ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor will first administer either local or general anesthesia before inserting an endoscope through your nasal passages and cavities in order to visualize an inflamed sinus cavity and its entrance. After finding it, they’ll insert a flexible balloon catheter with an inflatable tip over their endoscope wire and slowly advance it into your sinus space, where an inflated balloon will widen and clear away pus, mucus or discharge that might be blocking its path.
Once your sinus opening has been expanded, your ENT doctor will remove the balloon and use a saline rinse to clear out your passageway. The process generally takes less than an hour; most patients return home shortly afterwards. Because this minimally-invasive surgery method has less risk than conventional sinus surgeries.
Following your procedure, you may experience some discomfort in the nose and nasal passages that can be treated with over-the-counter medication. It is also important to refrain from blowing your nose for one week following treatment in order to allow the sinuses to heal properly. Eventually, these symptoms should fade.
After your procedure, your ENT will schedule a follow-up appointment within a day or two in order to assess how well you’ve recovered and address any concerns or questions that arise. It is essential that you attend this visit, even if feeling sick; so they can address them effectively and promptly.
Follow-Up
After your ENT doctor performs the balloon sinuplasty procedure, you’ll need to follow specific guidelines in order to achieve optimal results. While these will likely be less stringent than traditional surgery guidelines, you still should pay attention; such as refraining from blowing your nose until after the day-after treatment and using saline spray regularly as directed by your provider. Also take any medication prescribed by them rather than self-medicating without their knowledge or approval.
Saline nasal spray can help flush your sinuses of infection and keep them functioning at their best. You can find it at pharmacies or grocery stores; just use the brand recommended by an ear, nose, and throat specialist for optimal results. Ideally it should be applied four times each day using four sprays in each nostril for best results.
Avoid activities that could strain the sinuses such as vigorous exercise and lifting heavy items; doing so will allow for faster recovery while decreasing any potential complications from balloon sinuplasty surgery.
The procedure itself will typically be conducted in-office at either an ambulatory surgery center or hospital, after you’ve been anesthetized through topical or injectable anesthesia. Once an endoscope has been guided to near your affected sinuses and images have been transmitted back to a monitor so your doctor can see what’s happening inside your nose, an endoscope with balloon catheter attached will then be moved into position over it before it is inflated to open up blocked sinuses and restore normal sinus function.
Most patients undergoing this procedure report minimal pain; you may feel pressure as the balloon inflates, and possibly some blood coming out of their nose; this is normal and nothing to be alarmed about; if bleeding persists beyond its expected limits or becomes difficult to control, please reach out immediately to your healthcare provider for advice.
