Whereas traditional sinus surgery usually involves cutting and removal of bone and tissue, balloon sinuplasty requires neither. In this procedure, a small, flexible balloon catheter is used to open up blocked sinus passageways and also to ease the drainage of mucus that often builds up in patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis symptoms.
A typical balloon sinuplasty, which we conduct in-office, normally involves these steps:
- The balloon catheter is inserted into the inflamed sinus.
- The balloon is then inflated to expand the sinus opening.
- Saline liquid is sprayed into the inflamed sinus to push out and mucus or pus.
- The system is then removed, leaving the sinus passageways clear and open.
The the procedure is conducted and the balloon is inflated, it restructures and widens the walls of the sinus passageway while almost maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining. It is a very safe, very effective procedure, and patients show significant improvement in the their symptoms while also experiencing no serious side effects.