Introduction
Balloon Sinuplasty™ is an advanced procedure used to open blocked sinus passages. Blocked sinus passages can contribute to chronic sinusitis and breathing difficulties. Unlike open surgical methods, Balloon Sinuplasty uses no incisions, is minimally invasive, and has a short recovery time.
The Balloon Sinuplasty device consists of a guide wire, a thin catheter, and a flexible tube. The device is inserted through a nostril. Once positioned in the sinus cavity opening, the balloon is inflated. The pressure from the balloon widens the walls of the passageway allowing sinus fluids to drain.
Treatment
Balloon Sinuplasty is usually an outpatient procedure. It may be used with endoscopic surgery. An endoscope is a thin tube with a viewing instrument. Thin surgical instruments are used as the endoscope guides the surgeon to remove tissue or bone. If bone or tissue is not removed, nasal packing is not necessary following Balloon Sinuplasty. In fact, most people can return to work and their normal activities within 24 hours.
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.
The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Author
Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD,
Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. The library
commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on 4-27-2010.