What is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Would you like to find relief for your chronic sinusitis but aren't sure you want to undergo sinus surgery? Balloon sinuplasty offers many balloon sinuplastyof the benefits of endoscopic sinus surgery without any cutting. The Stafford and Fredericksburg, VA, ENTs at Ear, Nose and Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center explain how the surgery works.

How is balloon sinuplasty different than endoscopic surgery?

During endoscopic surgery, your ENT inserts a thin, flexible scope that contains a camera into your sinuses. Once he identifies the issue responsible for your symptoms by viewing the images transmitted from the camera, he inserts small tools and cuts away tissue or bone to widen and clear your sinus passages. Endoscopic surgery is usually performed using general anesthesia.

Balloon sinuplasty offers a gentler approach to sinus surgery and can be performed using a local anesthetic. During the first step in the procedure, a wire is used to guide a small balloon catheter into your sinuses. Once the catheter is in place, the latex-free balloon is inflated. Inflating the balloon widens the walls of your sinuses, relieving congestion and other sinusitis symptoms. Irrigating your sinuses with saline solution washes away mucus and pus that have accumulated.

What are the benefits of balloon sinuplasty?

Because there's no cutting during the procedure, recovery is quicker and much less painful than endoscopic sinus surgery. In fact, you may only experience a little congestion after balloon sinuplasty. It usually takes a month or more to recover from endoscopic sinus surgery. Most people who undergo balloon sinuplasty return to work and their usual activities a day or two after their procedures. Balloon sinuplasty is effective for both adults and children.

General anesthesia can cause nausea and leave you feeling very groggy. Since balloon sinuplasty only requires local anesthetic, you won't have to worry about any of these issues, plus you'll be able to eat and drink before and after your procedure. Your nose and face will be numb when you leave our Fredericksburg or Stafford office, but you will feel alert.

Balloon sinuplasty offers an effective, minimally invasive way to treat chronic sinusitis. If you're interested in learning if the procedure is right for you, schedule an appointment with the ENTs at Ear, Nose and Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center by calling (540) 371-1226 to schedule an appointment at either the Fredericksburg or Stafford, VA, offices.

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