Balloon Sinuplasty Treatment For Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the sinus lining. When sinusitis last for longer than twelve weeks it is considered chronic sinusitis. Symptoms may include facial pain, sinus pressure or congestion, sinus headache, difficult nose breathing, loss of sense of smell or taste, tooth pain, yellow or green mucus, fatigue, sore throat, bad breath, and tenderness and swelling of the eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead.
How A Little Balloon Restores Drainage
Balloon sinuplasty is a safe, effective treatment for chronic sinusitis that is less invasive than conventional sinus surgery. It can relieve the pain and discomfort associated with chronic sinusitis and is a good option for individuals who are not responding well to antibiotic therapy. Balloon sinuplasty is typically performed on an outpatient basis with either general anesthesia or local anesthesia. During the procedure, the ENT uses a small, flexible, balloon catheter which is inserted into the inflamed sinus and inflated. This widens the sinus passageways which are then flushed with saline to drain built-up pus and mucus. The balloon catheter is then removed, leaving the sinuses open. The surgery typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours to complete and there is no cutting or removal of bone or tissue from the nose as with traditional sinus surgery. There is little recovery or downtime following balloon sinuplasty and patients able to return to normal activities quickly. Balloon sinuplasty is a very safe procedure but as with all types of surgery there are risks and these may include tissue and mucosal trauma, optic injury, or infection. Balloon sinuplasty is sometimes covered by health insurance.
