Des Peres Hospital offers a minimally invasive option to sinus surgery for chronic sinus sufferers. This procedure can give new hope to patients who suffer from ongoing inflammation of the sinus lining -- possibly freeing them from a lifetime of discomfort and medication.

Until recently, chronic sinusitis sufferers have been limited to two treament options: medication such as antibiotics and topical nasal steroids or conventional nasal and sinus surgery including endoscopic approaches. 

While medical therapy helps 75 to 80 percent of chronic sinus patients, it is inadequate for the rest.  For those patients, sinus surgery is the best option.  However, because surgery involved bone and tissue removal, many patients opt to live with the chronic sinus pain instead.  Balloon sinuplasty now offers these patients a minimally invasive option to conventional surgery.

How It Works

During a balloon sinuplasty procedure, a small, flexible, balloon catheter is placed through the nostril into the blocked sinus passage. The balloon is then inflated to gently restructure and open the passage, restoring normal sinus drainage and function while preserving the sinus' natural anatomy.

Benefits

• Safe and effective -- While use of any surgical instrument involves some risk, studies show that balloon sinuplasty is safe and effective in relieving sinusitis symptoms

• Minimally invasive -- the technology involves the use of small, soft, flexible devices introduced through the nostrils. These devices gently open blocked sinuses.

• Reduced bleeding -- In most cases, no tissue or bone is removed in this procedure, allowing for less bleeding.  As a result, the need for uncomfortable nasal packing may be eliminated.

• Fast Recovery Time -- Due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, patients often return to normal activities after 24 hours.