Chronic sinusitis can be a rather troublesome illness. Sinusitis is basically an inflammation of the sinus that occurs when it is infected due to the germs that form when the sinus is filled with fluid.

For those people who suffer from chronic sinusitis, sinus surgery is an option for correction. However, traditional sinus surgery can seem daunting and scary. The new and quite effective revolutionary alternative to sinus surgery is balloon sinuplasty.

What Is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Unlike traditional sinuplasty, balloon sinuplasty does not involve making incisions or cuts or removing any bone or other tissue. This makes the surgery safer and much less risky.

How Is It Performed?

Unlike traditional endoscopic sinuplasty, balloon sinuplasty involves no intensive cutting of skin or chance of a traumatic surgery. The patient can walk in and be awake while the sinus is unclogged.

First, the patient is numbed with nasal spray, or in some cases, anesthesia may be administered. A wire is inserted into the affected sinus with an attached catheter or a balloon. The balloon is then inflated to widen the normal sinus.

Once the opening of the sinus is restored, the balloon is deflated and the wire and the balloon are pulled out. This creates a passageway in the sinus, thus giving lasting relief to people who suffer from chronic sinusitis.

What to Expect After the Surgery

A patient can recover at home in around two days after the balloon sinuplasty. In cases where the patient has been sedated, they might be kept under supervision in the hospital for a day or two.

Since balloon sinuplasty is a non-surgical procedure, a person may resume normal life with two to three days of the treatment. However, vigorous activity of any kind is to be avoided for up to two weeks after the date of the procedure.

The risks of balloon sinuplasty are much lower than that of a traditional sinuplasty. A very common effect of balloon sinuplasty is temporary blood discharge from the nose. It begins to fade and completely disappear in a few days after the procedure.

You can ask your doctor to prescribe pain medications for your recovery process should you feel any discomfort. However, for most people, the pain during healing is negligible.

Blowing your nose is strictly not allowed for 24 hours after the procedure. Sleeping with your head elevated is encouraged to allow the flow of fluids. You will be put on a course of antibiotics and steroids to avoid the risk of infections. You might be given a nasal spray to use for about seven days after treatment.

There are no reported complications of the balloon sinuplasty procedure. For most patients, sinus relapse does not occur for up to two years after the treatment has been performed.

Get Started with Your Sinus Treatment

If you’re suffering from chronic sinusitis, it’s best to seek treatment immediately. Choose the ideal surgeon for you – contact the office of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Andrew Compton to arrange a consultation.