The Alternative to Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Balloon Sinuplasty™ or Balloon Sinus Dilation is a safe and effective non-surgical procedure for patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis symptoms and do not respond well to medications such as antibiotics and nasal sprays. Previously, sinus surgery in the operating room was the only option, but now a less invasive option is available that is clinically proven to improve your quality of life.
This procedure was introduced in 2005 and the concept comes from the fields of interventional cardiology where tiny balloons have been used for years to gently dilate blocked arteries. The goal in fixing chronic sinusitis is to open blocked sinus passages to allow adequate ventilation and restore natural drainage. Balloon Sinuplasty™ has been clinically demonstrated to be an effective and extremely safe procedure which can be performed in the office.
How Balloon Sinuplasty™ is Performed
The process of Balloon Sinuplasty™ allows us to unblock inflamed sinuses. Using endoscopes, the sinus is entered by threading the opening. A deflated balloon is advanced and then balloon is inflated to widen the natural opening into the sinus. After about 5 seconds, the balloon is deflated and withdrawn. This procedure is repeated for any other sinuses which are blocked. The sinus opening, or ostia, remain open because they are actually lined with thin bone. The balloon pushed the bone in the ostia a few millimeters in all directions so it is big enough for the sinuses to drain properly. Because the bone maintains its rigidity, it does not collapse back after being opened with the balloon.
The diagrams below illustrate the inflamed maxillary sinus (shown in green) and how Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology opens the blockage that is preventing the drainage of the sinuses.
- To gain initial sinus access, a catheter is guided into the nasal cavity to target the sinus under endoscopic visualization. Please note: you will be under local anesthesia and will not feel a thing.
- The sinus balloon catheter is positioned across the blocked ostium. The position of the sinus balloon catheter is confirmed and the balloon is gradually inflated to open and remodel the narrowed or blocked ostium.
- The balloon is removed and the sinus is irrigated.
- The sinus balloon catheter is then deflated and removed, leaving the sinus cleared of mucus allowing the return of sinus drainage.
You will be able to eat, drink and go home on the day of your procedure. Most patients return to work and normal activity within two days. After the treatment you will have little if any discomfort. Some of our patients state that they feel that their nose is slightly congested but no reports of pain have been indicated.
Advantages of Balloon Sinuplasty™ vs Traditional Sinus Surgery
Balloon Sinuplasty™ Advantages
- Safe, fast, effective
- Performed in the office under local anesthesia, sometimes with a light anti-anxiety medication.
- Most patients report clinically meaningful improvement in sinus symptoms and quality of life through 2 years following surgery.
- Recovery time 1-2 days
- Enlarges the opening of the sinuses without any cutting or removal of bone or soft tissue, preserving the normal anatomy and mucosal tissue of the sinus.
- Less invasive: minimal bleeding, less pre-operative pain and faster recovery
- Can be used along with other sinus treatment options
- Does not limit future sinus treatment options if necessary
What Is Balloon Sinuplasty™?
Approved by the FDA in 2005, Balloon Sinuplasty™ is a safe and effective procedure that relieves the pain and pressure associated with chronic or recurring sinusitis. It is used by surgeons to safely and effectively treat patients who are not responding well to medications such as antibiotics, nasal steroids or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. As opposed to traditional sinus surgery, Balloon Sinuplasty™ is a breakthrough outpatient procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia in the doctor’s office or under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center.
Most people can resume work and light activity the following day and notice their overall quality of life has significantly improved. With Balloon Sinuplasty™, a catheter is inserted into the nose to reach the inflamed sinus cavity. A small balloon is inflated to open up blocked sinus passageways, which widens and restructures the walls of the sinus passage. This process helps drain mucus from the blocked sinus. The balloon is then removed, leaving the sinuses open with normal sinus drainage and relief of sinus pressure. This approach is similar to balloon angioplasty — a procedure performed by heart surgeons that opens blocked arteries. There are several benefits to in-office Balloon Sinuplasty™ over traditional surgery:
- Delivers instant, long-lasting relief
- Quick recovery
- Convenient, comfortable office setting
- No general anesthesia
- May reduce healthcare costs
Dr. Sinha was the first ENT specialist in Atlanta to offer this proven treatment option. More than 95 percent of patients who have undergone this procedure say they would have it again. If you have any additional questions or would like to make an appointment, please contact us.
What Should You Expect After Balloon Sinuplasty?
As a minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure, Balloon Sinuplasty™ patients typically do not report the negative side effects that are often associated with traditional sinus surgery. However, like with all medical treatments there are some symptoms that patients should be prepared for. It is very common for all nasal and sinus surgeries to produce some bloody drainage for the first few days after your procedure.
This drainage amount will decrease and lighten in color quickly. Some patients may also experience minimal amounts of swelling that can feel similar to congestion. Fatigue is also a common side effect for around a week after the procedure.In order to alleviate feelings of congestion, sleep with your head elevated and take the antibiotics and steroids your doctor will prescribe to you. These will seriously reduce the likelihood of an infection developing and will help alleviate pain you may experience.
However, most patients claim that they feel almost no pain and don’t feel the need to take any prescribed pain medication.You should refrain from blowing your nose for at least 24 hours after the procedure. Moderate exercise like walking is acceptable, but any strenuous activity should be avoided for one week. This includes vigorous exercise.Dr. Sinha will most likely require you to rinse your nasal passages with saline spray for about three to seven days after your procedure. This will keep your nose lubricated and prevent any additional bleeding or complications from occurring.
How long does it take to recover?
Patients are capable of driving themselves home within 10-15 minutes after their Balloon Sinuplasty™ treatment, provided they have not received pre sedative medication. Because it is an outpatient procedure, patients often feel capable of completing their normal daily activities within two days. Ultimately, the recovery time varies form patient to patient.
How long does Balloon Sinuplasty™ last?
Almost all patients who were treated with Balloon Sinuplasty™ reported no relapse in their symptoms two years after the procedure. This amount of time is significantly more than traditional sinus surgeries.
How Does Balloon Sinuplasty Work?
Also referred to as Balloon Sinus Dilation, Balloon Sinuplasty™ is a minimally-invasive procedure performed in the office for people who suffer from chronic sinusitis. During Balloon Sinuplasty™, our ENT doctors will inflate small balloons in key places in the sinus to reopen the sinus pathways and restore drainage to deliver immediate, long-term relief. The ideal candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty™ is someone who suffers from chronic sinusitis, which is categorized by symptoms that last longer than 12 weeks, and doesn’t respond well to antibiotics, nasal sprays or any other type of medical therapy.
The impact that Balloon Sinuplasty™ has been known to have on sinusitis patients is tremendous. Prior to the procedure, patients complained of incessant sinus headaches and pain, consistently missing work and social settings with friends and friendly and daily fatigue and general lousiness. After having Balloon Sinuplasty™, patients reported immediate relief from these symptoms. Watch our Balloon Sinuplasty™ testimonials to learn more.If you’re interested in finding out whether or not you could be a candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty™ (or Balloon Sinus Dilation), please call Sinus Institute of Atlanta at or fill out a contact form on our website. Someone from the team will reach out to you about booking an appointment for a sinus consultation.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a nonsurgical alternative to sinus surgery for patients who suffer with sinus headaches, pressure and pain.
The benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty are:
- The procedure takes about one hour in the office
- Recovery time is 1-2 days
- Patients who have had balloon sinuplasty report that they can breathe, no longer have sinus pain and no longer have to take antibiotics or medications.
BALLOON SINUPLASTY AS SEEN ON ATLANTA & COMPANY
Am I a Candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty?
Balloon Sinuplasty™ is a revolutionary procedure that can correct the side effects associated with chronic sinusitis. Many patients have difficulty determining whether or not their symptoms qualify them to be candidates of the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure. The highest indication of your candidacy for Balloon Sinuplasty™ is the severity, duration and frequency of your sinus infections and symptoms.
Sinusitis is defined as the inflammation of the sinus passages in the nose. However, there are different forms of sinusitis that affect a patient’s candidacy for the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure. Those suffering from acute sinusitis have infections that last for less than a month and are significantly less severe when compared with other sinusitis classifications. Acute sinusitis sufferers are generally not considered candidates for Balloon Sinuplasty™.
Chronic sinusitis sufferers display symptoms for more than three months and are unable to treat themselves with prescription medications, qualifying them for Balloon Sinuplasty™ treatment.Many of the symptoms of chronic sinusitis are related to other sicknesses, therefore it is important for you to consult your doctor to determine if what you are suffering from can be corrected with the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure or if you are afflicted with another illness.Some of the most common symptoms of chronic sinusitis that would qualify you as a candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty™ are:
- Nasal and throat congestion
- Facial pressure and pain, as well as headaches
- Bad breath and aching teeth
- Coughing and congestion throughout the night
- Amplified asthma symptoms and dizziness
- Runny nose
- Weakened sense of smell in extreme casesIf you suffer from any combination of the above symptoms, you could be a candidate for the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure. Patients are able to return to their normal activities in as little as two days after the procedure, as this is a minimally-invasive, outpatient treatment for chronic sinusitis.
If you are still unsure of whether or not you are a candidate for the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure, take the Sinus Quiz on our website. While this quiz cannot provide a definitive diagnosis of your symptoms, it can contribute to your doctor’s full diagnosis.
It is very important for you to discuss all of your possible treatment options with your ear, nose and throat doctor; he or she will be able to diagnose you and determine the best solution moving forward. For more information on chronic sinusitis and the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure, contact us to schedule a consultation.
How Much Does Balloon Sinuplasty Cost?
Balloon Sinuplasty™ is becoming one of the fastest-growing and most popular treatments in the country. Luckily for sinus sufferers, this means that most major insurance companies cover the procedure, including HMO, PPO, POS, Cobra and Medicare. However, there are some state-based insurance providers like Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia (and other various states) that do not cover Balloon Sinuplasty™.The cost of the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure will vary depending on the amount of coverage your insurance provides.
It’s important for you to contact your insurance provider before you make any decisions to ensure that you are aware of your options. At the Sinus Institute of Atlanta, we want to ensure that you receive the best care possible. That includes helping you file paperwork or correspond with your insurance provider. We are also happy to contact your insurance company for you to determine whether or not you qualify for the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure. If we do not accept your insurance provider or they will not cover the cost of the treatment, we will do our absolute best to work with you and figure out a way to have the procedure done privately.
We participate in several health insurance marketplaces—also known as health exchanges. These organizations were developed to help patients receive a standard set of healthcare plans in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It would be to your advantage to call your insurance provider directly to determine whether or not you would be covered for a Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure. You are also still able to undergo Balloon Sinuplasty™ treatment if a managed care company, a federal government program or a state government program is your insurance provider.
Accepted Insurance for Balloon Sinuplasty™
The Sinus Institute of Atlanta accepts the following insurance carriers. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list; contact us for questions/concerns (popup-blockers must be disabled to go to the provider’s website):
All major medical insurance is accepted for the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure at the Sinus Institute of Atlanta, including HMO, PPO, POS and Cobra. With the exception of Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia (and other various states), the vast majority of insurance companies help with the cost of Balloon Sinuplasty™. We will gladly submit to your insurance company to see if you qualify for coverage. If your insurance company will not cover Balloon Sinuplasty™, we will work with you to have the procedure done privately.
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace
The Sinus Institute of Atlanta participates in many public federal exchange plans. Please call your carrier directly to clarify the coverage provided by your specific policy.
Managed Care Insurance Carrier
If you are covered by a managed care company, we will collect co-pays and deductibles at the time of service and wait 30 days for payment by the company. If, after this time, we have not received payment for the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure, we will require payment from you unless otherwise stated in the contract.
Federal and State Government Programs (Champus, Medicare, Medicaid)
If you are covered under one of the above governmental programs, we will collect co-pays and deductibles at the time of your Balloon Sinuplasty™ service. Whenever possible, we will submit claims to your secondary insurance carrier as well.
