Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Balloon Sinuplasty

Sinus surgery is a procedure that is performed when sinuses cannot be treated with medication and there are tumors and polyps. Sinuses are spaces in the skull full of air. The inflammation and blockage of them can prevent breathing and lead to symptoms such as headache, jaw ache and insomnia. 

In the treatment of the majority of the patients with chronic sinusitis, there is no need for surgery.  Medical treatment and changes in the life style generally relieve the person and control the symptoms. When the other treatments do not work, sinus surgery can be a good alternative. People who need surgery suffer from symptoms like inflammation, mucus, pus and fluid that block respiration. 

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery 

Endoscopic sinus surgery is one of the most common surgical methods to cure chronic rhinosinusitis.  

With the help of telescopic cameras and surgical instruments, the sinuses are opened, the problems are solved and airway flow is provided.  The purpose is to open the natural drainage passages during sinus surgery. 

During the procedure, tiny bones or other substances that block the sinus openings are removed. In some cases, laser can be used to remove the diseased tissue. Micro telescopes and surgical instruments reach the problematic area using nasal endoscopy without making any facial incisions.  

Recovery

After endoscopic sinus surgery, each patient tolerates the pain in a different way. Painkillers are generally sufficient to relieve.  There might be swelling inside the nose and it makes nasal breathing difficult for nearly two weeks. Nasal breathing is forbidden until one week after the surgery. 

Balloon Sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty procedure could be done during endoscopic sinus surgery or as an alternative. During the process, a small balloon is used in order to clean the obstructed passages we need to breathe and to dilate the sinus openings. 

The map of sinus anatomy is visualized and the balloon is directed towards the area where sinuses are obstructed. When the balloon reaches the right place, it is inflated to dilate the obstructed sinus passages. The mucus and pus are flushed out using a saline solution. And the balloon is removed after the process is completed. 

Balloon sinuplasty generally allows the doctors to treat the sinus passages without an incision and removing tissue or bone.  When the sinus passage dilates, the pressure on it decreases. During and after the balloon sinuplasty procedure, most of the patients do not feel pain but a feeling of pressure and numbness. The procedure takes about 1 hour. 

The Advantages of Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure 

It is a quite reliable and preferable procedure due to the low risk of bleeding, infection and tissue damage and less necessity of using painkillers after the surgery. Because it is done under local anesthesia, there is no risk of complications that might occur under general anesthesia. 

What are the Risks of Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure? 

As in all other surgery, balloon sinuplasty also involves some risks. A few days after the surgery, bleeding, tenderness in cheeks, nose and forehead, and swellings and obstruction in and around the nasal cavity are among the side effects. There might rarely be an infection from a failure to properly cleanse the sinuses after surgery. However, the side effects generally disappear short while after the surgery and the infection can be cured with antibiotics easily. 

After Balloon Sinuplasty

After balloon sinuplasty, the patient might experience bleeding and congestion. This is quite usual and there is nothing to worry about.  The symptoms generally disappear between 5 to 7 days. 

You should avoid strenuous activities for at least a week after sinuplasty. It is better to sleep with your head and neck in an elevated position to promote drainage. After the surgery, the doctor prescribes painkillers, antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection and saline solution to cleanse nasal passages.