Balloon sinuplasty is an FDA-approved treatment for sinusitis. What exactly is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is when the lining of your sinuses swells or become inflamed. When this occurs, your sinuses fill with fluid rather than air. Germs may get trapped, triggering sinus infections. If you get sinusitis regularly, this is known as chronic sinusitis. Some of the symptoms of sinusitis include hoarseness and sore throat, loss of sense of smell or taste, fatigue, difficulty breathing through your nose, pain in your mouth or teeth, headache and facial pain, pressure, congestion, or a runny nose.
How can balloon sinuplasty with Dr. Saigal improve my sinusitis?
Balloon sinuplasty brings back the normal function of your sinuses by clearing blocked passages and restoring normal sinus drainage. We perform the short, minimally-invasive procedure in our luxury Orlando offices. After a balloon sinuplasty with Dr. Saigal, a majority of our patients report they have experienced significant improvements in their sinus functionality.
Is balloon sinuplasty safe?
Dr. Saigal puts your safety, wellbeing, and health at the forefront of everything he does. Balloon sinuplasty is one of the most popular and most commonly- performed sinus surgeries because of its high success rates and low risk of complications. Some additional benefits of balloon sinuplasty vs. other sinus surgeries include:
- Reduced risk of infection
- No intentional damage of sinus tissue, structure, nasal bones or sinus cartilage
- Lower risk of bleeding
- Shorter office stays and faster recovery time for the procedure
- Reduced risk of continued inflammation and reduced risk of scarring
What happens during a balloon sinuplasty?
During a balloon sinuplasty, Dr. Saigal administers local anesthesia before inserting an endoscope (a plastic, flexible tube with a light and a tiny camera on the end) into your sinuses. Then, he follows it with a small balloon catheter to the blocked portion of your sinuses. When it is in the right location, he will inflate the balloon to create space and an opening. After flushing out the areas with saline, he will then remove the balloon and endoscope.
Are there side effects from a balloon sinuplasty?
Some patients have experienced some minor side effects in the few days following a balloon sinuplasty. These have included cheek, nasal or forehead tenderness, congestion, drainage, and slight swelling in their sinus passages and nasal cavities. These all typically clear up within a few days.
What else should we know about recovery?
Dr. Saigal will go over your specific aftercare protocols with you before you leave our offices. You should be able to return to your usual activities within one to two days. Some of our patients find that it is useful to sleep with an extra pillow to alleviate drainage that can occur after the procedure. If you experience any discomfort or irritation, many over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help. Dr. Saigal will provide you with a list that is appropriate for your specific needs.