Chronic sinusitis is defined as inflammation of the sinuses that lasts for more than 12 weeks. In reality, it is a condition that is extremely painful and frustrating because it doesn’t respond to standard medical treatment. You take antibiotics, decongestants and steroids but the pain and difficulty breathing continues. You start to think you will never feel well again. But ENTs are using a new procedure to bring relief for chronic sinusitis without endoscopic surgery. It’s called balloon sinuplasty.

Balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a breakthrough in the treatment of chronic sinusitis. It can be performed safely in the ENT’s office. It can be done with local anesthesia. The recovery time is minimal and the results are real and long lasting.

ENTs have adapted the same surgical procedure that heart surgeons use to open up blocked arteries to open up blocked sinuses. Because it doesn’t involve removal of bone or tissue, recovery is fast.

The ENT doctor inserts a small and very flexible balloon catheter to open up blocked sinuses. The balloon is gently inflated to expand the sinus opening. Once the opening is expanded a saline solution is used to flush out mucus and pus. After the sinus passageway is cleared, the sinuses can drain as nature intended. Gone are the days of the mucus build-up that provides a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. The balloon actually restructures the sinus wall; so it retains its shape.

Endoscopic surgery

Functional endoscopy sinus surgery was a great leap forward in sinus surgery. However, even with the use of an endoscope, sinus bone and tissue was still removed.

This removal required the use of uncomfortable nasal packing material after the surgery, the use of general anesthesia and an abbreviated recovery period. While it was an improvement over conventional sinus surgery that could result in scarring and had a long recovery period, it could still stand some improvement.

That improvement was balloon sinuplasty. Unlike conventional sinus surgery and some endoscopic surgery, balloon sinuplasty can be performed in the ENT’s office under local anesthesia. These improvements not only allow for a quicker recovery, but they can substantially reduce the cost over conventional sinus surgery.

Talk to Your ENT

If you suffer from chronic sinusitis and want long-lasting relief, ask your ENT specialist about the balloon sinuplasty procedure.

Your ENT professional can evaluate your condition and tell you if you are a good candidate for the procedure. You have nothing to lose but the pain and suffering that comes from chronic sinusitis.

Balloon Sinuplasty as Treatment for Chronic Sinusitis