What is an In-Office Balloon Sinuplasty?
Balloon Sinuplasty is an outpatient procedure that unblocks your sinuses. If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, Balloon Sinuplasty can be a great path to lasting relief.
The leading ENT journals, including International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, published data showing that Balloon Sinuplasty is safe, effective, and causes no damaging side effects.
How Does the Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure Work?
While you’re under a local anesthetic, your Specialty Physician Associates doctor places a tiny nonlatex plastic balloon catheter into your sinus. Your doctor gradually inflates it to make your sinus opening larger. This gently restructures your sinus walls without damaging them.
Next, your doctor flushes the buildup out of your sinuses with a sterile saline spray. WIth your sinuses now clear, your doctor removes the catheter. After the procedure, your sinus walls maintain their new structure, which allows you to breathe freely again.
How Much Downtime is Needed After Balloon Sinuplasty?
Every situation is different, but most patients who have in-office Balloon Sinuplasty get back to their usual daily routine in about two days.
How Long Do Balloon Sinuplasty Results Last?
Each patient's results are unique, but in clinical studies, patients enjoyed symptom relief for as long as two years after Balloon Sinuplasty. Most patients don’t need to repeat the procedure, but if you do need to have another Balloon Sinuplasty, it’s safe to do so.
What are the Alternatives to Balloon Sinuplasty?
Saline nasal spray, prescription medications, steam inhalation, and other options can work for some sinusitis sufferers. But these options might not give you the lasting relief you want or could quit working after a while.
Another option is endoscopic sinus surgery. In this surgery, your doctor extracts small amounts of bone and tissue to make your sinus opening larger. Your doctor then implants a PROPEL® sinus stent from Intersect® ENT, which keeps your breathing passages open and delivers anti-inflammatory medicine to your sinuses. The stent dissolves naturally over time.
Your Specialty Physician Associates doctor can discuss Balloon Sinuplasty and all your other treatment options with you to help you make the best choice.
Want sinusitis relief that lasts, but don’t want major surgery? Book your Balloon Sinuplasty consultation at Specialty Physician Associates through the online scheduler or by calling the office nearest you today.
