South Indy News

• Balloon sinuplasty was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2005.
• The procedure can help treat chronic sinusitis with long-lasting effects.
• Balloon dilation is minimally invasive, and there's no cutting or removal of bones or tissue.

Dr. Anthony Sanders of Indianapolis Sinus Center discussed the benefits of having a balloon sinuplasty in an interview with South Indy News.

"Success rates are excellent, and most people get good resolution of their symptoms to their satisfaction," Sanders said. "The beauty of the balloon sinus procedure is that people tend not to have much disruption of normal nasal function, so they have noses that work normally; they breathe better. They tend not to have issues with dryness or sounding different, or the change in the resonance of the voice that sometimes goes along with endoscopic sinus surgery. So generally they recover quickly. They get back to work fast. Their need for medications and antibiotics tends to fall way off compared to what they were doing before that. Basically, they're able to resume a normal life in most instances."

According to Healthline, balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery or the "smart sinus" procedure, is a relatively new procedure that clears blocked sinuses and was approved by the FDA in 2005. It is recommended for those who suffer from chronic sinusitis, after other treatments for their condition have proven ineffective. There's no cutting or removal of bones or tissue, and reported complications are minimal.

Chronic sinusitis occurs when the sinuses, or the spaces inside of the nose and head, are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer despite treatment, according to Mayo Clinic. Common signs and symptoms include the following: nasal inflammation, a runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore threat, bad breath or fatigue.

A balloon sinuplasty is an in-office procedure that's simple and only takes about an hour, according to Entellus Medical. The preparation takes about thirty minutes and involves anesthetics being applied to the nose for more comfort. A thin instrument with a balloon is then guided through your sinus, the balloon is gently inflated for five seconds with saline, and when your sinuses open, the balloon is removed.

To learn more about the symptoms of chronic sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.