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Millions of Americans suffer from sinusitis or other forms of sinus problems such as eustachian tube dysfunction. After 10 years and hundreds of thousands of patients treated, balloon sinuplasty (or dilation) has firmly established itself as a part of the continuum of care for treating sinusitis and even eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).
Balloon sinuplasty is a procedure that ENTs use for the treatment of blocked sinuses. Patients diagnosed with sinusitis but not responding to medications may be candidates for sinus surgery. Balloon technology was initially cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2005 and is described as an endoscopic, catheter-based system for chronic sinusitis. It uses a balloon over a wire catheter to dilate sinus passageways. The balloon is inflated with the goal of dilating the sinus openings, widening the walls of the sinus passageway and restoring normal drainage.
Sinus surgery with balloons may be performed in a hospital, outpatient surgery setting or in the physician’s office under local anesthesia. The physician inserts a guide catheter through the nostril and near the sinus opening under endoscopic visualization. A flexible guide wire is then introduced into the targeted sinus to confirm access. Most guide wires have a light on the tip which may produce light transmission seen through the skin to help the physician with correct placement of the guide wire.
Once access to a blocked sinus is confirmed, a balloon catheter is advanced over the guide wire and positioned in the blocked sinus opening for inflation. The balloon is inflated. The entire procedure takes around 30 minutes and if the procedure is successful, the sinus will remain open after the balloon is deflated and removed for up to 24 months.
Since the initial introduction of sinus dilation, a number of clinical studies have explored its safety, effectiveness, durability, and patient benefits. Data from these studies show that for appropriate patients, sinus dilation:
Data from studies show that patients who had balloon sinus dilation experienced a much quicker recovery, less bleeding, and less need for prescription pain medication. Overall, data from these studies affirm sinus dilation’s role as a desirable alternative to traditional surgery.
The balloon technique is an alternative, less invasive treatment than the traditional functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The sinuses are dilated with a balloon instead of using metal instruments to cut and remove tissue to increase the openings. Because of less risk and fewer complications, balloon sinuplasty can be performed in the office under local anesthesia. This opens up an avenue of treatment for patients with sinus disease who otherwise would not be candidates for surgery secondary to age, health conditions, previous reactions to general anesthesia.
Dr. James Go, MD, FACS
2290 West Eau Gallie Blvd
Suite 110
Melbourne, FL 32935
Phone: 321.421.7555
Fax: 321.421.7554
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