Do you also have a stuffy nose all the time? Can't stop the runny nose? Do you suffer from a heavy head and aching face for a long time? We call this a sinus problem, or sinusitis. For some people, this does not subside even after taking medicine. Today, we are talking about a very simple treatment that comes to the rescue at such times, not as big as surgery.
Simply put, what is Balloon Sinuplasty?
Think of the sinus cavities inside your nose as little air-flowing cavities. When these cavities fill up with mucus, the passages leading to these cavities become blocked. That's when you get all those annoying symptoms.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a very delicate and simple procedure that is used to open up those blocked passages. Simply put, the doctor inserts a small balloon-like device into your nose and slowly inflates it over the blocked area. As the balloon inflates, the blocked and narrowed passage widens and opens up. Then, all the mucus and pus that have been trapped inside start to flow out easily. Since this is done without any major incisions, it is much simpler than a regular sinus surgery (endoscopic sinus surgery - ESS).
Who is this treatment suitable for?
Some people get better after a few days of sinus problems. But for others, these annoying symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks (that's 3 months). If things like nasal congestion, runny nose, and facial pain persist, we call it chronic sinusitis .
Your doctor will first try to treat this by giving you medications such as antibiotics. However, if those treatments don't help, you may consider Balloon Sinuplasty as the next step. Your doctor will decide if this is right for you.
The most important thing is that before undergoing this treatment, your doctor will ask you to have a CT scan to make sure that this is really right for you. This will allow you to clearly see the inside of your sinus cavities.
How the treatment takes place - let's take a step-by-step look
This treatment can be done in a hospital operating room or sometimes in a doctor's office. Whether you are fully anesthetized or only numbed in your nose depends on the location of the treatment and your condition.
There are slight differences in the way the treatment is done. Let's look at it this way to understand it clearly.
| In a hospital operating room | At a medical office |
|---|---|
| You will be put under general anesthesia or conscious sedation. | You will sit in a chair, and anesthetic spray and lotions will be used to numb the area around your nose. |
| A medicine is put into the nose to control the bleeding. Then, a local anesthetic is injected into the tissues inside the nose. | Once the nose is numb, a small anesthetic injection is given into the tissues inside the nose, if necessary. |
| A catheter is inserted into the nose using a thin tube (endoscope) with a small light at the front. | Similarly, a catheter is passed into the nose using an endoscope. |
| A small balloon is passed through the catheter into the blocked sinus cavity and slowly inflated. | The balloon is sent to the stuck spot and inflated, opening the blocked passage. |
| After a few minutes, the balloon is deflated and removed. This is repeated for other sinus cavities if necessary. | The balloon is deflated and taken out. Repeat if necessary. |
Does this hurt?
This is a problem that many people have. In fact, for most people, it is not painful. It is just a feeling of pressure inside the nose. You may feel some discomfort or pain after the treatment. Your doctor will prescribe an appropriate painkiller for this. Never take any medicine without consulting your doctor.
What happens after treatment? How long does it take to recover?
After your treatment, you will need to stay in the hospital or doctor's office until you feel comfortable going home. It is best to have someone drive you home.
The recovery time is very quick.
- The doctor will usually tell you to rest at home for a day or two (24-48 hours) .
- Avoid scratching your nose for the first two days.
- Use the nasal spray your doctor gives you to clear your nose.
- If your nose feels stuffy, sleep with your head slightly elevated .
- Avoid strenuous activities such as lifting weights during the first week.
After a week or two, you should be almost completely recovered and can resume your normal activities. Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment. At that time, you may also be asked to do a nasal endoscopy, which is an examination of the inside of your nose.
What are the benefits and risks of this treatment?
As with any medical treatment, there are benefits as well as some very rare risks.
| Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|
| A very safe treatment. | Leakage of the fluid around the brain (cerebrospinal fluid) (very rare). |
| No major incisions (minimally invasive). | Damage to the area around the eye. |
| You can recover quickly and resume work. | Adverse reactions to anesthesia. |
| Less painful than regular surgery. | Excessive bleeding. |
| The results are long-lasting. | Occurrence of infectious conditions. |
Sometimes, symptoms may recur after a period of treatment. If this happens, the doctor may advise you to try this treatment or another treatment.
When you need to call the doctor immediately
It is normal to have a little blood-tinged discharge from your nose on the first day after treatment. Don't be alarmed by that.
However, if your nosebleed is heavy and persistent and you can't control it, you should call your doctor immediately. If necessary, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
In addition, it is important to inform the doctor if other serious symptoms such as fever and severe headache occur.
You don't have to live with chronic sinus problems for the rest of your life. While medications can't control them, there are simple, modern treatments like these. Talk to your ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon to see if this treatment is right for you.
Take-Home Message
- Balloon Sinuplasty is a simple, non-invasive treatment for chronic sinusitis.
- This is less painful than regular surgery, and recovery is quicker.
- During the treatment, you will feel more like pressure in the nose than pain.
- Your doctor will determine whether this treatment is right for you after a CT scan.
- If you notice anything unusual, such as excessive bleeding after treatment, notify your doctor immediately.
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