Dr. John Ditto | Richmond Breathe Free
Dr. John Ditto | Richmond Breathe Free
- Symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore throat, bad breath, or fatigue.
- Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population, and is responsible for 4.1 million doctor visits per year.
- After a balloon sinuplasty procedure, many people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two.
"Balloon sinuplasty came out in 2005. It is a fantastic new technique because what studies have shown is that it's as effective as traditional functional endoscopic sinus surgery," Dr. Ditto told the Williamsburg Sun. "So I can perform a procedure for a patient and improve their recurrent sinusitis by using a minimally invasive technique to improve them, 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. With balloon sinuplasty, I’m just opening things up, just allowing them to breathe."
Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure to clear blocked sinuses, according to Healthline. This surgery is relatively new, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. Balloon sinuplasty is most often recommended for people with chronic sinusitis after attempts at other forms of treatment are ineffective. Balloon sinuplasty is fairly straightforward, and reported complications are minimal.
Balloon sinuplasty is becoming more popular because it has lower risks and a quicker recovery time than traditional sinus surgery, as noted by GoodRX. The procedure is performed in the office, is less expensive compared to the procedures conducted in a hospital setting, and is typically covered by insurance.
A balloon sinuplasty procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes, and patients typically recover within 1-2 days. Most patients can resume their normal activities in that time period, although they may experience some swelling for up to a week, according to Medium. By contrast, functional endoscopic sinus surgery procedures take 1.5–2 hours, and patients might need up to four weeks to fully recover from surgery, during which time they should avoid strenuous activities such as exercising.
A study reports that 91% of patients would choose to have a balloon procedure again, compared to only 49% of functional endoscopic sinus surgery patients.
According to Richmond Breathe Free's website, Dr. Ditto received his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, where he earned recognition for his research efforts. He then went on to receive specialized training in ear, nose, and throat disorders at the University of Michigan's department of otolaryngology head and neck surgery.
Alerts Sign-up