Ashford Clinic Blog
What is Balloon Sinuplasty?
What is Balloon Sinuplasty?
Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that gently opens sinus passages restoring air flow and providing immediate relief for pressure from the sinus passages. It is a short, in-office procedure (typically one hour) to dilate the inflamed passages and flush the infected sinus cavities.
Most patients report that nasal breathing improves during the procedure and sinus and head pressure are immediately lessened. Because this is a minimally invasive procedure under light sedation, recovery is much shorter and less painful than traditional sinus surgeries.
Typically within 2-3 weeks of the procedure, the nose and sinuses are completely healed, and the cycle of sinus infection is interrupted.
How does Balloon Sinuplasty work?
Since there’s no cutting involved, balloon sinuplasty relies on a different technique. This procedure uses a small balloon catheter which is inserted into the inflamed sinus. The balloon is then gently inflated, expanding the sinus opening as it grows in size. Saline is then sprayed into the inflamed sinus in order to clean out any pus or mucus.
Even when the balloon is removed, the sinuses will keep their widened size. This helps to keep your sinuses clear even after the procedure has concluded. Many patient loved the results of their Balloon Sinuplasty procedure because it involves very little discomfort and optimum results.
What make Balloon Sinuplasty minimally invasive and safer?
Unlike other procedures, balloon sinuplasty doesn’t involve any cutting of the nasal bone or tissue. This means that it’s not as invasive or dangerous as other types of surgery that you can perform on your nose, making it a relatively safe option in comparison.
After going through a balloon sinuplasty, patients can expect a drastic improvement in their symptoms. Their sinus won’t feel inflamed or in pain all the time, and they’ll have a greatly increased quality of life. Because the treatment is so effective, you can expect immediate results and you won’t be expected to re-do the procedure in the future to maintain the same results.
What can a patient expect after Balloon Sinuplasty?
Recovery time is a little different from person to person, however, in most cases, patients can return to work in just a few short days. This makes it a great procedure to undergo even if you’re short on time, or don’t want to stay off work for too long.
Most patients will report a dramatic improvement in their symptoms. The procedure is clinically proven to help with sinuses and is one of the more popular procedures that people go through.
The structure of your nose also won’t change. It will be kept the same and you won’t notice any kind of changes to your outward appearance.
When should balloon sinuplasty be considered?
Healthy nasal sinuses drain mucus through narrow passages to the throat where it is swallowed away. When these passages become inflamed as a result of illness or allergies, the mucus is blocked and infection can occur. This sometimes triggers a vicious cycle of increasing inflammation, blockage, infection and pressure. When a patient is experiencing cycles of sinus blockage, allergies, and other related issues, they may want to consider their options to stop these painful and bothersome symptoms.
