Balloon Sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is designed to improve the drainage of the sinuses, similar to endoscopic sinus surgery. Balloon sinuplasty technology extends the sinus surgery evolution by offering the surgeon additional tools for endoscopic surgery. It uses a small, flexible, sinus balloon catheter to open up blocked sinus passageways similar to the way angioplasty uses balloons to open blocked coronary arteries. In balloon sinuplasty, a small sinus balloon catheter is threaded through the sinus passages and introduced into the sinus. When the sinus balloon is inflated, it gently restructures and widens the walls of the passageway while maintaining the integrity of the sinus. This restores normal sinus drainage and function, while preserving normal anatomy and mucosal tissue.

The benefits of balloon sinuplasty are that there is less trauma to the surrounding tissue and the natural sinus openings are preserved. Not all patients are candidates for this type of sinus surgery. For example, balloon sinuplasty is not effective in treating ethmoid sinusitis, removing nasal polypsor in patients with extensive scarring of their sinus openings. Balloon sinuplasty is often combined with endoscopic sinus surgery

Goals

Balloon sinuplasty is designed to improve the drainage of the sinuses. The goals of surgery include:

  • Reduction of the number and severity of sinus infections.
  • Improvement of symptoms associated with sinusitis.

Surgical Treatment

  • Balloon sinuplasty is performed under general anesthesia.
  • Balloon sinuplasty is performed entirely through the nostrils; thus there are no incisions made on the skin.
  • An endoscope, a thin camera rod with a light at the end to provide visualization and magnification, is used for direct visualization of the nasal cavity and sinuses.
  • Working endoscopically through the nose, a catheter is threaded into the sinus cavity.
  • A small balloon is passed over the catheter into the sinus. As the balloon is inflated, it gently restructures and widens the walls of the sinus passageway while maintaining the integrity of the sinus.
  • Under direct visualization, the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses are opened
  • After the surgery, once the effects of the anesthesia have worn off, the patient is discharged home.
  • Please click here to view animation of procedure.