Balloon Sinuplasty vs. Traditional Sinus Surgery

What Is Sinus Surgery?

Sinus surgery is a common ENT procedure that can address certain cases of chronic sinusitis, remove nasal polyps, and address other chronic sinus conditions.

It may be recommended for appropriate patients whose symptoms don’t get better with standard medications and other forms of treatment. Our ENT clinic in St. Louis, Missouri, offers ENT evaluations to assess your symptoms and determine if sinus surgery may be an appropriate treatment option for your condition.

If your ENT care provider brings up the possibility of sinus surgery in St. Louis, Missouri, there are two common types: balloon sinuplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

What Is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive ENT procedure that can address appropriate cases of chronic sinusitis. It may be considered and recommended for select patients whose symptoms do not respond or get better with standard medications.

The procedure uses a small, flexible balloon catheter that is inserted into the affected sinus cavity. It may help widen the sinus passages and support improved mucus flow and drainage in select patients.

A consultation with your ENT care provider can assess if you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure.

What happens during the procedure?

During the procedure, your ENT physician will inject local anesthesia into some of the tissues lining the nose, numbing the treatment area. Then, they will insert a small and flexible balloon catheter into the affected sinus cavity via the nose.

Once in place, the balloon is gently inflated, potentially widening the sinus passages. This procedure is designed to widen sinus passages. Individual symptom improvement varies based on anatomy, severity, and other health factors.

Then, the catheter is deflated and removed.

What is recovery and healing like after the procedure?

Immediately after the procedure, you will be asked to stay in the hospital or the doctor’s office until you are comfortable leaving. Your doctor may also suggest that you have someone take you to and from your appointment.

During your pre-procedure consultation, your doctor will walk you through what you can expect after the procedure. They will give you detailed instructions on healing and recovery, which may include:

• Use nasal packing as necessary
• Avoid blowing your nose 24 to 48 hours after the procedure
• Use a saline nasal spray to rinse your nasal passages
• Elevate your head during sleep to help with post-procedure congestion
• Avoid strenuous activities for about a week after the procedure
• Follow-up ENT appointments to monitor healing and recovery

Recovery and healing experiences will vary per patient, depending on individual health factors. Potential risks and side effects may include congestion, swelling in the treatment area, and slightly bloody nasal drainage.

What Is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is a minimally invasive ENT procedure that can help treat some cases of chronic sinusitis and remove nasal polyps. The procedure allows ENT physicians to operate on the sinuses via the nostrils, doing so without making any cuts or incisions around the nasal area.

Your ENT care provider may recommend this procedure if medications and other forms of treatment are ineffective in addressing your symptoms.

What happens during the procedure?

During the procedure, your ENT physician will give you general anesthesia, so you are asleep during the entire procedure. Then, they will inject local anesthesia into the nasal area to numb the treatment area.

The physician will insert a nasal endoscope, which is a thin tube with a camera on one end, into the affected sinus cavity via the nostril. Then, they will use specialized instruments to remove nasal polyps, bone, or diseased tissue that may be contributing to blocked nasal passages.

What is recovery and healing like after the procedure?

After the procedure, you will stay in the hospital or the doctor’s office until you wake up from the anesthesia and feel comfortable enough for the journey home. Ahead of your schedule, your doctor may suggest that you have someone take you to and from your appointment.

Before your scheduled procedure, your ENT doctor will walk you through what to expect after the procedure, and they will give you detailed instructions on how you should navigate healing and recovery. Generally, it may include:

• Avoid blowing your nose for at least a week after the procedure
• Use a saline nasal spray to rinse your nasal passages
• When you sneeze, do so with your mouth open
• Avoid strenuous activities as advised by your doctor
• Follow-up ENT appointments to allow your doctor to closely monitor your healing

Recovery and healing experiences vary per patient, depending on individual health factors. Potential risks and side effects may include stuffiness, bleeding, and discomfort in the treatment area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sinus Surgeries in St. Louis, Missouri

Is sinus surgery worth it?

Chronic sinus issues, nasal polyps, and other persistent sinus conditions are not life-threatening. However, if left unmanaged and untreated, they can potentially impact daily life, productivity, sleep, and overall comfort. Consulting with your ENT care provider in St. Louis, MO, can help determine if you are an appropriate candidate for sinus surgery.

Which type of sinus surgery may be appropriate for me?

Both balloon sinuplasty and FESS are widely used ENT treatment options, and they may be considered for patients whose symptoms don’t respond to other forms of treatment.

Generally, balloon sinuplasty may be recommended for patients whose symptoms are mild to moderate. FESS may be recommended for patients whose cases of chronic sinusitis are more severe. Individuals with structural issues such as nasal polyps and a deviated septum may also be appropriate candidates for FESS. Candidacy depends on imaging findings, anatomy, prior treatment response, and overall health—not solely on symptom severity.

Which of the two is right for you will depend on your consultation with your ENT care provider. They can assess your symptoms and determine which is more appropriate for you based on clinical findings, the severity of the symptoms, and the potential underlying cause.

Learn More About Sinus Surgery in St. Louis, MO

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