North Panhandle News

• Balloon sinuplasty was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2005.

• The procedure can help treat chronic sinusitis with long-lasting effects.

• Balloon dilation is minimally invasive, and there's no cutting or removal of bones or tissue.

Balloon sinuplasty, which is also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure that clears blocked sinuses. It's a relatively new procedure, having been approved by the FDA in 2005. It is sometimes referred to as the “smart sinus” procedure.

According to Healthline, balloon sinuplasty is recommended for people with chronic sinusitis, after other treatments for their condition have proven ineffective. There's no cutting, no removal of bones or tissue, and reported complications are minimal.

Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers says a balloon sinuplasty is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that can provide long-lasting effects to patients who suffer from sinusitis. 

"Over the last 10 years, we've really improved something called balloon sinus dilation, otherwise known as balloon sinuplasty," Blair told North Panhandle News. "We take a small catheter that is inserted into the natural opening of the of the sinus. We then insert the balloon into the opening of the sinuses and dilate that balloon, dilating the natural opening of the sinus, and then we deflate the balloon. This takes less than a minute for each sinus. It permanently opens the sinuses so we can get treatment into the sinus. The sinus is then prevented from being blocked from whatever the cause may be, whether it's anatomic or an inflammatory cause from a condition the patient might have that they cannot control."

A balloon sinuplasty is an in-office procedure that's simple and only takes about an hour, according to Entellus Medical. The preparation takes about thirty minutes and involves anesthetics being applied to the nose for more comfort. A thin instrument with a balloon is then guided through your sinus, the balloon is gently inflated for five seconds with saline, and when your sinuses open, the balloon is removed.

Physical symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, a runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore threat, bad breath or fatigue, according to Mayo Clinic.

For more information about the symptoms of chronic sinusitis and allergies, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.