What is Balloon Sinuplasty (BSP)?
Balloon sinuplasty is a safe and effective procedure that uses an inflatable catheter (or balloon) to relieve blocked sinus openings. It builds upon the medical advances introduced by functional endoscopic sinus surgery (or FESS).
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Americans Suffer From Chronic Sinusitis
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Patients Have Been Safely Treated With Balloon Sinuplasty
Like FESS, balloon sinuplasty uses an endoscope (a surgical probe) to enter the infected sinus passage. The main advantage of balloon sinuplasty over traditional sinus surgery is that it does not require the removal of any bone or tissue. Instead, the balloon catheter is inflated, which reshapes the nasal opening, ensuring that it remains clear when the procedure is complete.
Balloon catheters have been successfully used in other branches of medicine, such as cardiology, urology, and gastroenterology, as a safe alternative to more invasive procedures. The catheters do not contain latex or any other common allergens, so balloon procedures are safe, even for patients with severe allergies.
How Does Balloon Sinuplasty Work?
The balloon sinuplasty procedure can be performed in less than an hour in the comfort of Dr. Cohen’s offices. The procedure involves three basic steps:
- The balloon catheter is inserted into the sinus cavity.
- When the catheter reaches the affected sinus opening, the balloon is inflated. The sinus passage is dilated and will remain open after the procedure.
- The balloon catheter is removed from the sinus, leaving nothing behind and keeping the bone and nasal lining intact.
The procedure is performed with local anesthesia and has a much lower risk for complications than general anesthesia. It also requires little to no pain medication during the recovery period. Patients typically experience a recovery time of no more than 2 days.
Balloon sinuplasty is covered by Medicare and by most health insurance plans.
If you’re suffering from recurring sinus pain and related symptoms, you should make an appointment with Dr. Cohen to see if balloon sinuplasty is right for you.