Am I a Good Candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty?

Are you struggling with the symptoms of sinusitis? Inflammation of the tissue that lines your sinus cavities can make you miserable.

If you’ve tried conservative treatments 一 like decongestants, antihistamines, antibiotics, or nasal sprays 一 but just haven’t gotten relief, Dr. Conrad McCutcheon can help you determine whether you’re a candidate for balloon sinuplasty with consultation at Memorial Village ENT in Houston, Texas.

Understanding balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat the congestion and discomfort associated with chronic sinusitis. During the procedure, Dr. McCutcheon inserts a balloon catheter to a precise location in your sinus cavity and gently inflates it. As the balloon expands, it works to restructure and expand your sinus passageway.

He then rinses out your sinus cavity with a saline solution. This effectively removes any residual pus, mucus, and other irritants that have built up in your sinus passages. The balloon isn’t permanent — it’s deflated and then removed — but your sinuses remain clear and expanded, which restores your breathing. 

Who is a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty?

The first step in determining your candidacy for balloon sinuplasty is a thorough exam. You also take a special questionnaire called the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), and your answers help determine the severity of your symptoms. 

In general, a good candidate is someone who:

• Has developed chronic sinusitis — infection that’s lasted 12 weeks or longer
• Hasn’t responded satisfactorily to medication 
• Struggles with sinusitis symptoms such as coughing, headaches, chronic bad breath, facial pressure, and nasal congestion
• Can dedicate up to 2-3 days for the procedure and recovery

Balloon sinuplasty might not be right for you if:

• You have other causes of nasal obstruction such as a tumor

Recovering from balloon sinuplasty 

Minimally invasive balloon sinuplasty recovery is much quicker and easier than open surgeries. After this in office procedure, most people return to their normal activities within a day or two.

It’s normal to experience discharge, bloody drainage, congestion, and discomfort after the procedure, but these symptoms are temporary. You should abstain from strenuous activity for 72 hours. You’ll also need to refrain from blowing your nose during the first 2 weeks after your procedure. 

Advantages of balloon sinuplasty

The biggest advantage of balloon sinuplasty is its ability to restore clear breathing. There are many other reasons to consider balloon sinuplasty, including:

• It’s an FDA-approved procedure
• No cutting or incisions are required
• No bone or tissue is removed
• It involves less pain and bleeding when compared to open sinus surgery
• There’s a reduced risk of infection and complications because it’s performed as a minimally invasive procedure
• You’ll experience less bruising and swelling
• There’s very little downtime

Don’t let chronic sinusitis rule your life. Schedule an appointment at Memorial Village ENT to determine if balloon sinuplasty can give you the relief you need. You can request an appointment online, or you can call us at 281-822-3777.