Williamsburg Sun

• 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.

There's many benefits that come with a balloon sinuplasty procedure, and Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told the Williamsburg Sun that it's just as effective as a sinus surgery. 

"Balloon sinuplasty came out in 2005," Ditto said. "It's a fantastic new technique, because what studies have shown is that it's as effective as traditional functional endoscopic sinus surgery. So I can perform a procedure for a patient and improve their recurrent sinusitis by using a minimally invasive technique, instead of taking them to the operating room under general anesthesia and performing a sinus, bone and membrane destruction procedure where you're removing things. Here I’m just opening things up, just allowing them to breathe."

According to Healthline, balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery and the "smart sinus" procedure, is a procedure that clears blocked sinuses. It's also relatively new, having been approved by the FDA in 2005. Balloon sinuplasty is recommended for those who suffer from chronic sinusitis and have found other treatments to be 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 more, 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.