Balloon Sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a surgical procedure that uses a balloon catheter to remove the blockages in sinuses to facilitate mucus drainage in the patients suffering from chronic sinusitis. The procedure offers a complete preservation and recovery of the sinuses.

• Safety
• Less invasive
• Effective
• Faster recovery
• Fewer risks

The individuals with the following criteria are eligible for undergoing balloon sinuplasty:
• Individuals diagnosed with chronic sinusitis
• People experiencing recurrent acute rhinosinusitis
• Individuals experiencing chronic headache
• Individuals not responding to the medications

Before balloon sinuplasty, the doctor recommends the patient to undergo certain medical tests to determine the patient’s eligibility for the procedure.
The following measures are to be taken by the patient before undergoing balloon sinuplasty:

• Avoid certain medications like Aspirin, NSAIDs, Vitamin E and herbal supplements.
• Quit smoking a month before undergoing balloon sinuplasty.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol at least two weeks before undergoing surgery.
• Avoid eating, a night before undergoing surgery.

Based on the patient’s condition, the surgeon injects either local or general anesthesia. In most of the cases during balloon sinuplasty, the surgeon uses the local anesthesia.
Balloon sinuplasty is initiated by inserting and inflating a small balloon catheter into the inflamed sinus. The balloon fills up, thereby compressing the walls of sinuses and widens the passage. By passing the saline solution into the inflamed sinus, the pus and mucus are flushed out.
When the pus and mucus are flushed out, the patient may feel a decrease in the pressure. The bones around the sinuses get reorganized due to the presence of balloon inside the sinus passage. The doctor then removes the balloon and leaves the sinuses open, once the process is completed.
The patient is advised not to blow the nose for at least 24 hours and is advised to avoid heavy activities for one week after the surgery.

The recovery after balloon sinuplasty is very quick, and most of the patients return to their normal life within two days. However, bloody drainage or discharge from the nose is very common for one week after the surgery.
The patient might also experience swelling, fatigue, and congestion, which usually subsides within five to seven days after the surgery. The patient is also advised to complete the course of treatment with the medications prescribed by the doctor, for faster recovery.

The following are the complications associated with Balloon sinuplasty:

• Swelling
• Infection
• Intracranial complications

Balloon sinuplasty offers the patient a more rapid recovery compared to other traditional sinus surgeries. Additionally, with adequate rest and diet rich in fluids, the patient can get back to their normal life quickly.