What is chronic sinusitis?

Chronic sinusitis is a widespread condition affecting 37 million Americans. This inflammation of the sinuses occurs when the sinus opening becomes blocked, preventing mucus from draining properly. It causes cold-like symptoms that include congestion, runny nose, sore throat, facial pain and swelling, loss of smell or taste, bad breath, fatigue and headache.

Who can benefit from Balloon Sinuplasty?

If you’re suffering from chronic sinusitis and have exhausted your treatment options, you may be a candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty.

What is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive surgical solution that is a safe and effective method of enlarging your sinus passages for easier breathing and a drastic reduction in sinusitis symptoms.

What is different about Balloon Sinuplasty?

Conventional sinus surgical procedures involve cutting and excision of bone and tissue, a process that may cause pain and scarring and requires a recovery period. In comparison, Balloon Sinuplasty is quick (the average operating time is 73 minutes) and relatively painless, and has a lower risk of complications or side effects. It is FDA-approved and considered a safe alternative to endoscopic sinus surgery.

How is Balloon Sinuplasty performed?

Balloon Sinuplasty is typically performed in an outpatient setting. You’ll be given either a local or general anesthetic before a balloon catheter is inserted into your sinus cavity. The balloon is then inflated in order to enlarge the sinus opening and widen the walls of the nasal passages. A saline solution is sprayed into the cavity to flush out mucus and other debris; the catheter is then removed. The end result is open sinuses that enable normal breathing and drainage of fluids.

Is Balloon Sinuplasty effective?

Up to 95 percent of patients report a significant improvement in sinus symptoms following this procedure.

Balloon Sinuplasty | Cape Fear Otolaryngology

How a little balloon can provide instant relief that lasts.

Are you living with recurring or persisting sinus pain and pressure?

Millions of Americans suffer from sinusitis—an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. This swelling can prevent your sinuses from draining. Mucus and fluid buildup inside the sinuses can lead to sinus infections, more inflammation, and pain.
Sinusitis symptoms include:

Facial congestion/fullness
Nasal blockage
Nasal discharge
Fever
Headaches
Fatigue
Dental pain
Bad breath

For many years, patients suffering from recurring or persisting sinusitis were left with two choices:

Manage their symptoms with ongoing rounds of medical therapy. Some patients are dissatisfied with the frequent rounds of antibiotics, steroids, and decongestants, or have difficulty tolerating the side effects of medical therapy.
Undergo endoscopic sinus surgery to expand the sinus drainage pathways by having tissue and bone removed with small cutting instruments. Recovery can often take from 7 to 10 days.

Balloon sinus dilation offers an effective alternative for appropriate sinusitis patients who are tired of ongoing medical therapy and cannot or do not want to undergo surgery but want lasting relief with a quick recovery.

Why choose Balloon Sinus Dilation

Gently opens blocked sinuses
Balloon sinus dilation uses a small balloon to gently open and reshape your sinus drainage pathways to restore normal sinus drainage.

Instant relief that lasts
Balloon sinus dilation keeps sinus passages open, offering long-term relief from the problems associated with sinusitis. Multiple studies show patients experienced less facial pain, improved sleep, less use of antibiotics, fewer visits to their doctor, and were more able to perform day-to-day activities at home and work.

Convenient, comfortable office procedure
Balloon sinus dilation can be performed in your ENT physician’s office. A typical procedure lasts less than 45 minutes.

Quick recovery and cost-effective
Many patients resume normal activities the same day. Depending on your insurance coverage, the in-office procedure may reduce the procedure costs you pay.

How Balloon Sinus Dilation Works
We can use a local anesthesia to numb your sinus tissue and office sedation. Your physician will insert and gently inflate the balloon to dilate the treatment area. The balloon dilation expands the sinus pathways to restore drainage. After a few seconds, the balloon is deflated and removed.

Are you eligible for balloon sinus dilation?

Balloon sinus dilation is not appropriate for all patients. Contact us and see if you are a candidate today.

Before Surgery

Prior to having surgery, a series of general screening tests may be done to make sure you are healthy for surgery. These are often conducted 1-2 weeks before the operation and may include a thorough history and physical exam and blood work. Depending on your history, you may also need an EKG, chest x-ray, and/or stress test. These tests evaluate your heart and lung function and usually do not require a hospital stay. Depending on your age and health, you may need to see your primary care doctor or a high-risk anesthesiologist for these tests.

Call Cape Fear Otolaryngology at (910) 323-9222 for our Fayetteville location or (910) 225-4510 for our Lumberton location for more information or to schedule an appointment.