Sinusitis affects up to 37 million men and women in the United States each year, and while medical therapy helps the majority of these individuals, many require additional intervention to relieve their symptoms.1 Balloon sinuplasty is used to permanently treat severe and/or sinus infections or sinusitis when medications have not proved effective.2 During the balloon sinuplasty procedure, your surgeon will insert a small balloon through the nose, and use it to dilate the sinus openings to open the airways and breathing passages.
Benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty
- Permanently relieves sinus infections and sinusitis
- Reduces ocular headaches
- Eliminates chronic bad breath
- Improves nasal breathing
- Minimizes chronic nasal issues
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Less recovery time required than traditional surgery
Who is a Candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty?
The most important factor in recommending this groundbreaking procedure is proper patient selection. Some patients suffer from sinus problems that are too severe to be treated effectively by a balloon sinuplasty. Patients with nasal polyps or a deviated septum, for example, would not experience lasting relief with the procedure alone. These patients, and some others, are better candidates for endoscopic sinus surgery. The only way for patients to know if they would be a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty is to consult with an experienced, board-certified and board-eligible Otolaryngologist who can assess their symptoms and determine the right procedure for them.
Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure
During the procedure, our fellowship-trained Rhinologist will use a small camera, called an endoscope, to look inside a patient’s nostrils. They use the small camera to guide the balloon through the sinuses, gently dilating the natural drainage pathways. This procedure does not cause any cuts, incisions or changes in outward appearance. It also requires almost no downtime and is highly effective. The procedure is performed as an outpatient, in-office procedure. Our surgeon completes the procedure under IV sedation so that the treatment can be pain-free and completely effective. This also ensures that the procedure can be done more quickly, allowing for less pain for the patient.
FAQs About Balloon Sinuplasty
Is balloon sinuplasty covered by insurance?
When it is deemed medically necessary, most insurance companies will cover balloon sinuplasty.
Is balloon sinuplasty safe?
Complications associated with balloon sinuplasty are rare and it is even considered safe and effective for children.4
Can I have balloon sinuplasty if I’m allergic to latex?
Yes. The balloons used in balloon sinuplasty procedures do not contain latex.
How long does the balloon sinuplasty procedure take?
The procedure takes approximately one hour.
How long does it take to recover following balloon sinuplasty?
While each patient is different, most are able to resume their normal activities two days after a balloon sinuplasty procedure.
1 Cedars-Sinai. Balloon Sinuplasty. Available: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/b/balloon-sinuplasty.html. Accessed November 2, 2021.
2 Johns Hopkins Medicine. Balloon sinuplasty. Available: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/balloon-sinuplasty. Accessed November 2, 2021.
3 Cedars-Sinai. Balloon Sinuplasty. Available: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/b/balloon-sinuplasty.html. Accessed November 2, 2021.
4 International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. Clinical curative effect and safety of balloon sinuplasty in children with chronic rhinosinusitis. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28802373/. Accessed November 2, 2021.
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