Sinusitis affects 37 million Americans annually and although medications may help the majority of people, there are still many that require additional procedures for relief of their symptoms. One procedure that your Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor may recommend is a Balloon Sinuplasty.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a safe and effective sinus procedure for chronic sinusitis patients seeking relief from uncomfortable sinus pain symptoms. It can be used in patients who have chronic sinusitis (sinus infections that last for at least 12 weeks and aren’t responding to attempts at treatment) or in patients who have had four or more sinus infections in a year.
What does Balloon Sinuplasty involve?
During the balloon sinuplasty procedure, the skilled providers at Michigan ENT & Allergy Specialists open the blocked sinus cavities using the following steps:
- Guide a wire catheter and a small, flexible balloon into the inflamed sinus
- Slowly inflate the balloon to expand the sinus opening
- Spray saline into the affected area to flush out trapped mucus and pus
- Remove the system, leaving the nasal passage open and restoring normal sinus drainage
While recovery time varies with each patient, recovery is typically fast. In a study of in-office balloon dilation, most patients returned to work and normal activity within 2 days.
The providers at Michigan ENT & Allergy Specialists are specialized in diagnosing and treating sinusitis. If you feel that you are suffering from a sinus-related health problem, you could benefit from scheduling a consult with one of our sinus specialists by calling (616) 994-2770.