Balloon Sinuplasty

What is balloon sinuplasty?

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that dilates, or opens, your sinuses. The FDA approved balloon sinuplasty to treat chronic sinus blockages and congestion in 2005. While a relatively new approach to treating blocked sinuses, the treatment is quick with low risk and excellent results. There’s no need for incisions or the removal of any bone. 

Why would I need balloon sinuplasty?

Dr. Ali often recommends balloon sinuplasty to treat chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis is inflammation of your sinus cavities. It could be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, or structural abnormalities like polyps or a deviated septum. 

Chronic sinus inflammation causes facial pain, earaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, headaches, and congestion. Balloon sinuplasty opens your sinuses, which can relieve the root cause of many of these symptoms. 

What happens during balloon sinuplasty?

Depending on your needs, Dr. Ali performs balloon sinuplasty either in an operating room or in his office. He can also combine the procedure with endoscopic sinus surgery to remove polyps or repair a deviated septum. He provides local and general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the treatment depending on the location of the surgery.

During your balloon sinuplasty procedure, Dr. Ali inserts an endoscope into your sinus cavities. The endoscope is a thin wire with a light and camera. The camera sends images from inside your nasal cavities to a video monitor in the treatment room, which allows Dr. Ali to examine your sinuses and see what he’s doing. 

Then, Dr. Ali inserts a thin catheter with a surgical balloon on its tip into your sinuses. He slowly inflates the balloon to expand your sinuses gently. Dr. Ali flushes out any excess mucus with a saline solution, which should reduce any pressure in your face. When your treatment is complete, he deflates the balloon and gently extracts the catheter and the endoscope. 

What should I expect while recovering from balloon sinuplasty?

You can go home to rest after your balloon sinuplasty, and most patients return to their regular activities within a day or two. You might experience some drainage, swelling, or congestion. These are all normal side effects as your sinuses heal. You might find that sleeping with your head elevated reduces any discomfort. 

If you have chronic sinus congestion, call Dr. Ali's office or make an appointment online today for expert evaluation and treatments like balloon sinuplasty.