Balloon sinuplasty: the procedure, risks and recovery

Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is a condition where the bony spaces to the side of your nose become infected and inflamed.

Usually, a doctor can treat the sinusitis quickly, but sometimes medications are not successful and surgical procedures are required. In this latter situation, balloon sinuplasty - which can be done under local anaesthesia and performed in a clinic - is often helpful, making it an appealing treatment option for those wanting relief from sinusitis without the complexity of being admitted to a hospital.

Mr Mike O'Connell is an expert consultant ENT and nasal plastic surgeon based in Brighton, Sussex and Surrey. He describes how he performs this procedure, the types of risks it carries, and what you can expect during the recovery period.

Who is a balloon sinuplasty for?

Balloon sinuplasty is a simple and straightforward method to treat sinusitis. It is an alternative to traditional sinus surgery, which safely opens up sinus drainage channels, to relieve symptoms of nasal blockage and facial pressure or pain, and can also help loss of smell and taste and nasal dripping.

Sinuses are spaces around the nose, important in warming and moistening air as it passes into the nose on the way to the chest. When sinuses are blocked, usually following a cold, medication is initially recommended and then, if symptoms persist, surgery is advised to restart sinus drainage thus relieving symptoms.

Balloon sinuplasty is simply a more convenient and comfortable technique to drain the sinuses. It is suitable for any patient from teenage years onwards and can be undertaken under general or local anaesthesia.

How is a balloon sinuplasty performed?

The balloon is located on the end of a small curved tube, which is placed into the nose and directed to the sinus drainage area. The curved portion is inserted into the sinus and a small fibreoptic light is extended from the tube into the sinus. The location is confirmed by seeing the light shine through the bone onto the face.

The collapsed balloon, which is housed over the end of the sinuplasty tube, is pushed forward into the sinus and inflated. The pressure in the balloon expands the balloon to six millimetres width and is of sufficient force to create microfractures around the existing sinus drainage channel. This new, wider opening heals and remains, enabling better drainage, less blockage and relief from facial pain and pressure.

The technique takes about 15-20 minutes and can also be combined with other sinus techniques, as part of a bigger operation.

Are there risks involved?

There are risks to all operations, however, balloon sinuplasty is a safe procedure with few complications and is well documented in research literature. Occasionally, a patient might experience, infection, bleeding or headache.

What is the recovery like?

Recovery from balloon sinuplasty is quick and most people will return to their normal daily routine within two days of the procedure. When balloon sinuplasty is performed using just local anaesthesia, then work can resume the next day, however simple pain relief may be needed.

Your doctor will also prescribe medications to treat your sinuses and help restore them to full health. These include nasal washes, topical nose therapy and possibly antibiotics.

Patients should generally avoid serious exercise for five to seven days after the procedure. If balloon sinuplasty is undertaken as part of a bigger sinus procedure then recovery may take longer. The benefits of surgery are often noticed within a few days, but complete healing can take some weeks.

Are there alternatives to balloon sinuplasty?

Balloon sinuplasty is part of a surgical treatment regime to cure or control the symptoms of sinusitis. Most practitioners will manage sinusitis patients using medications and low dose topical steroid nose sprays have a good chance of calming symptoms. It is when this treatment does not succeed that surgical techniques are needed.

Balloon sinuplasty is not a treatment in itself but more a novel, safe and simple way of opening up sinuses and relieving blockage and pain or pressure. It has become popular amongst specialists and patients because it avoids more complicated endoscopic sinus surgery, patients have less postoperative problems and they can return to work quickly. Obviously when symptoms or condition dictates, then full sinus surgery is required. Your practitioner will clarify these points during the consultation.

If you are suffering from sinusitis and would like to know more about this treatment, visit Mr John Michael O'Connell’s Top Doctors profile and book a consultation to discuss your symptoms.