The painful symptoms associated with chronic sinusitis can be overwhelming. If symptoms are difficult to control with medications alone, your primary doctor may refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist, who can determine the best course of treatment, including further medication therapy or surgery to open the sinus passageways. Serving Bayside, Queens, Long Island, and surrounding areas.
Now, there is an additional surgical option for treatment of blocked sinuses called Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology. If you have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and are not responding well to antibiotics, you may be a candidate for surgery, there is now a less invasive option that is clinically proven to be safe, effective and improve the quality of your life.
What is a Balloon Sinuplasty?
Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology is an endoscopic, catheter-based system for patients suffering from sinusitis. The FDA-cleared technology uses a small, flexible, sinus balloon catheter to open up blocked sinus passageways, restoring normal sinus drainage. When the sinus balloon is inflated, it gently restructures and widens the walls of the passageway while maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a breakthrough procedure that relieves the pain and pressure associated with chronic sinusitis. It is used by surgeons to safely and effectively treat chronic sinusitis patients who are not responding well to medications such as antibiotics, nasal steroids, or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and are seeking relief from uncomfortable and painful sinusitis symptoms.
Similiar to how angioplasty uses balloons to open blocked arteries, Balloon Sinuplasty, a system of FDA-cleared, catheter-based instruments, opens blocked sinuses.
The procedure is less invasive than traditional sinus surgery. It allows most patients to return to normal activities quickly, and can usually be performed in the office.
The Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure
With Balloon Sinuplasty, a specially-designed catheter is inserted into the nose to reach the inflamed sinus cavity. A small balloon is slowly inflated, which widens and restructures the walls of the sinus passage, helping to drain mucus from the blocked sinus and restore normal sinus drainage without cutting and with minimal bleeding. This approach also preserves the natural structure of the sinuses.
- A multi-center study of 1,036 patients who had Balloon Sinuplasty reported that sinus symptoms improved in 95 percent of patients at an average follow-up period of 9 months.
- Another multi-center study followed 65 patients who had Balloon Sinuplasty and reported clinically and statistically significant improvement in patient symptoms out to two years.
- Ninety-five percent of patients who have had Balloon Sinuplasty say they would have it again.
Patients who suffer from Chronic Sinusitis and are not responding well to medications may benefit from seeing our physicians who determine if the procedure is right for them. Most insurance companies and Medicare provide coverage for Balloon Sinuplasty.
Balloon Sinuplasty has been used to treat more than 160,000 patients since receiving FDA clearance.
How long does the Balloon Sinuplasty treatment take?
Balloon sinuplasty is performed in our office, using local anesthesia and mild sedation. A patient undergoing balloon sinuplasty is typically in our office for 1.5 hours. Local anesthesia is given initially, a process that usually requires 30 minutes. The procedure is then performed, which takes about 30 minutes. The patient is then observed for an additional 30 minutes.
Congestion following a Balloon Sinuplasty
Following balloon sinuplasty, patients are congested, but not in pain. The congestion is the result of swelling in the nose due to inflammation caused by the procedure. The congestion generally lasts only 1-2 days. We ask patients to spray saline nasal spray in the nose for 1 week following the procedure to reduce crusting. Most patients are able to return to work the day after the procedure.
Patient Testimonial
What People Say About Us!
"Dr. Werber is a blessing to me. Upon meeting him once I trusted him right away with his kind approach. After immediate surgery for a severe sinus condition which was scheduled promptly, I felt I could breath like I did ten years ago. Many checkups after his patients and kindness never wavered. Dr. Werber’s staff are just as kind and very professional with scheduling and offering information. I recommend everyone to see Dr Werber to improve your quality of life. A true hero in his profession."
Click here to read more reviews.
Balloon Sinuplasty Technology Overview
Balloon Sinuplasty™ devices provide an endoscopic, catheter-based system for patients suffering from sinusitis. Recently published data in the leading ENT journal shows that the technology is safe and effective: study participants experienced no adverse events and received significant relief from their symptoms.
Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology is used by qualified Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physicians and involves the use of tiny balloons to open blocked sinuses similar to how angioplasty uses balloons to open blocked coronary arteries.
In order to improve symptoms of chronic sinusitis, an ENT physician will use Balloon Sinuplasty™ devices to open the blockage that is preventing sinus drainage.
The following picture summarizes the steps associated with using the Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology.
Learn more about the benefits of using Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology.
