The Benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty

Find out how to finally alleviate your chronic sinusitis symptoms.

When we think of a sinus infection we often think of them as a minor nuisance that goes away on its own. But what if your symptoms don’t Balloon Sinuplastyseem to go away? If you’ve had symptoms of sinusitis for 12 weeks or more then you could be dealing with a chronic infection. Chronic sinusitis will warrant a trip to our Fredericksburg, VA, otolaryngologists just to confirm that this is what’s causing your congested, stuffy or blocked nose.

The first line of defense against chronic sinusitis is to treat it with medications or simple at-home remedies like nasal washes and saline solutions. Of course, if these at-home measures aren’t providing you with relief then our Fredericksburg, VA, ENT doctor may recommend balloon sinuplasty.

 

What is balloon sinuplasty?

This minimally invasive procedure is a great alternative to traditional sinus surgery. During this procedure, our Fredericksburg, VA, ENT doctor will guide an endoscope, a thin flexible tube, through the blocked nasal cavity. At the end of this endoscope is a deflated balloon.

Once the endoscope is fully within the blocked passageway, we will slowly fill the balloon with air. As you might imagine, the balloon will continue to expand until it slowly opens up the blockage, allowing the sinuses to properly drain. Once the procedure is complete, the endoscope is removed but the nasal passages will remain open. The entire procedure can take anywhere from 60-90 minutes.

 

What are the benefits of this procedure?

The biggest benefit is that this procedure finally drains the sinuses and removes the blockage, making it easier to breathe again. It should also reduce or eliminate any facial pressure or pain you’ve been experiencing because of chronic sinusitis. This procedure is ideal for someone who hasn’t responded to medications or other treatment options.

Another benefit of balloon sinuplasty is that it’s a lot less invasive than traditional sinus surgery. Traditional surgery often requires incisions and/or the removal of tissue and (sometimes) bone. This also means that the patient will have a longer recovery period. Luckily this all changes with balloon sinuplasty.

First of all, there are absolutely no incisions or tissue and bone removal, which means that your recovery period will be significantly shorter. Most patients return to work just two days after their procedure. Secondly, side effects such as post-procedural bleeding or swelling are quite minimal compared to traditional surgery.

 

Ear, Nose & Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Centers is dedicated to providing comprehensive ENT care in Fredericksburg and Stafford, VA. If you are dealing with chronic nasal congestion or a nasal blockage then it’s time to find out how we can help you get the relief you deserve.

Established ENT Patients

Click here to schedule an appointment!

Contact Us