LA Harbor News

Dr. Matt Hershcovitch, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist at SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, said that his sedation protocol for balloon sinuplasty prioritizes patient comfort through topical numbing and the administration of Valium. This statement was made on Instagram on March 10.

"We do like to have some mild medication on board for our patients so they're as comfortable as possible for the experience," said Hershcovitch, Doctor, according to Instagram. "Obviously most of the stuff is taken care of by topical numbing, there's no needles involved, but it's all topical numbing. People still are conscious, they're protecting their airway just fine, they're conversive if you talk to them, but they're really relaxed, kind of sleepy."

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent condition in the United States, affecting a significant portion of the adult population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 28.9 million adults have been diagnosed with sinusitis, representing 11.6% of the adult population.

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive technique used to treat chronic sinusitis by dilating blocked sinus passageways. Medical News Today reports that this procedure involves inserting a small balloon catheter into the sinus cavity and inflating it to widen the sinus openings, promoting normal drainage. This method preserves the sinus lining and typically results in a quicker recovery compared to traditional sinus surgery.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that balloon sinuplasty is both safe and effective for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Research published in the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy indicates that patients experienced significant symptom improvement following the procedure, with a low complication rate reported across multiple studies. These findings support its role as an alternative to traditional sinus surgery.

Hershcovitch is a double board-certified physician specializing in ENT care and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. According to SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, he earned his degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and completed his medical education at the State University of New York. Hershcovitch further honed his expertise with residency training in Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University.

SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, located in Burbank and San Diego, California, specialize in treating sinus and allergy issues using advanced, minimally invasive techniques. According to their official website, the centers offer personalized care for conditions such as chronic sinusitis, nasal obstructions, and allergies. By employing state-of-the-art procedures like balloon sinuplasty, they aim to provide effective relief with reduced recovery times, enhancing patients' quality of life.