LA Harbor News

• Balloon sinuplasty is a relatively new procedure.
• Of patients who receive the procedure, more than 95% see improvements of their symptoms.
• Balloon sinuplasty can improve other things, such as quality of sleep.

Balloon sinuplasty is a relatively new procedure to safely and effectively treat sinusitis, which is inflammation of the sinuses that affects people of all ages around the world. Dr. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free said that balloon sinuplasty can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life, something he has seen firsthand.

“Their [patients] life is significantly improved,” Hershcovitch said. “It’s one of the most rewarding experiences, and I'll be honest, it's a little selfish of me, because I derive a big personal satisfaction from this. To see people get very quick, very dramatic relief from what they thought was incurable problem is very, very gratifying.”

Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure to clear blocked sinuses, according to Healthline. This surgery is relatively new, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. It’s also commonly referred to as the “smart sinus” procedure.

According to Good RX, the purpose of the procedure is to open up blocked sinuses, and may be an option for when medications don’t work. Otolaryngologists insert a guidewire into the nostril to access the blocked sinus. A balloon is then inflated for a few seconds at a time, creating small fractures in the bones around the sinus to widen the passages. The balloon is then deflated and removed, and a saline solution flushes out debris. It is often a suggested procedure for those with chronic sinusitis, which involves symptoms of up to a year.

Acute sinusitis lasts up to four weeks and can be due to viral infections or seasonal allergies, according to Healthline. Subacute sinusitis symptoms last up to 12 weeks and are often due to bacterial infections and seasonal allergies. Recurrent acute sinusitis is when you have at least four episodes of acute sinusitis over a year. In this case, episodes last more than seven days.

Hershcovitch said he has had patients living with headaches, facial pressure, nasal congestion and post-nasal drip for long periods of times — in some cases these symptoms can last for years. He said this is because people often give up and are resigned to the fact that there is nothing to do about it, other than the periodic use of the antibiotics.

“That is not the case,” he said. “Many of them come back afterwards saying, 'I can't believe this has been so good. I haven't gone so long ever in my life without having a sinus infection. This is great, thank you.' I can't tell you how many times I hear that.”

Fierce Healthcare surveyed more than 1,000 patients who had the procedure, finding that more than 95% saw improvements of their symptoms. Nobody reported negative effects.

One main aspect that sinusitis can negatively affect is sleeping patterns. The National Library of Medicine reported that 60% to 75% of those with chronic sinusitis have problems sleeping. Sleep Review Magazine found that within a few days of balloon sinuplasty surgery, most patients reported improved symptoms, including getting better sleep, and less or no pain or pressure in the face.

If you are interested in learning more about balloon sinuplasty, please start by completing this sinus assessment provided by SoCal Breathe Free.