Metro Lex News

Over the last decade, improvements in balloon sinuplasty have revolutionized chronic inflammation solutions to make them both more simple and more convenient. 

Dr. Daniel Mongiardo of the Dr. Daniel Mongiardo Sleep and Sinus Center said treatment options for sinus infections have advanced tremendously since he has been in practice.

“When I first started practicing several years ago, the surgery for sinusitis was very aggressive, and it was not very successful, to be quite frank,” Mongiardo said. “And then we went to endoscopic sinus surgery, which was a great advancement both in recovery time and success rates.”

With the development of balloon sinus dilation, also known as balloon sinuplasty, Mongiardo said the procedure is minimally invasive with little to no recovery time and with a greater success rate compared to endoscopic sinus surgery. 

“The success rate published in the literature for endoscopic sinus surgery is around 70-72%. For balloon sinuplasty, which is a minimally invasive procedure we do in the office, it's upwards of 90 plus percent,” Mongiardo said. 

While previous chronic inflammation solutions required specialists to surgically open up the sinuses, leaving a lot of swelling and healing to be done, the new process offers very minimal trauma. 

“Now with the balloon, the balloon goes in, stretches, comes out and it's done,” Mongiardo said. “That's something we do in the office and seated right in the exam chair.”

According to Healthline, this chronic inflammation solution is relatively new, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005.

Balloon sinuplasty is most often recommended for people with chronic sinusitis, after other treatments for their condition have been ineffective, Healthline reports. As a whole, the procedure is typically fairly straightforward and reported complications are minimal as there is no cutting or removal of bones or tissue. 

Performed in a hospital or in the office of an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, a balloon sinuplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Because balloon sinuplasty is still a type of surgery, it carries the same types of risks as other sinus surgeries, Healthline reports. 

During the procedure, the balloon inflated to expand the sinus opening will flush out built-up pus and mucus in the sinus cavity with a saline solution. While the balloon is in the sinus passage, Healthline states, it gently restructures the bones around the sinuses.

The completion of the process will leave the sinus passage widened and the sinus free of built-up pressure, offering patients a quick and simple chronic inflammation solution. 

Prospective patients may evaluate their symptoms with this sinus quiz to determine their best path for care.