Balloon Sinuplasty ™ is a proprietary surgical procedure of Acclarent Inc used in the treatment of chronic sinusitis. The procedure (in layman’s terms) involves inserting a flexible catheter (small rubber like tube) via the nostrils up into the narrowed or blocked openings of the sinuses. There the balloon is slowly inflated to enlarge the narrowed or blocked sinus passageways and then withdrawn. The enlarged sinus passages should now allow the blocked sinuses to drain.
Balloon Sinuplasty ™ is seen as an alternative to functional endoscopic sinus surgery, which is the surgical procedure currently endured by 350,000 Americans each year, here surgical instruments are used to cut away and remove bone and tissues to enlarge the sinus passageways.
It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words so a video must be worth more, watch this short video explaining the procedure:
Ballon Sinuplasty Video
While Balloon Sinuplasty ™ is certainly less invasive than functional endoscopic sinus surgery, the procedure is relatively new and the long term benefits and disadvantages cannot yet be fully appreciated.
For some it may well be the answer to their problem, but I personally would look at less drastic solutions first. I had good results with sinusdoctor it may be a bit more inconvenient to use than a spray, but if it works for you, it is probably less inconvenient than balloon sinuplasty.
Tags: Acclarent Inc, Balloon Sinuplasty, Chronic Sinusitis, Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Nostrils, Sinus Passages, sinusdoctor, Sinuses, Surgical Instruments
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Great info. Thanks again for posting. Yes totally agree as w/ anything talk to your doc and don’t jump the gun! Balloon Sinuplasty (or any surgery) no exception!
Yes. Thanks again for your very sound and caring advice.
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LBH -
Totally agree — you HAVE TO look at less drastic solutions first. Develop good habits with keeping nasal passages clean. I swear by my neti pot and recommend it to everyone.
I too have heard good things about balloon sinuplasty. From what I have heard it is less invasive and recovery is easier, vs traditional sinus surgery.
Don’t mean to sound like a broken record but look into rinses, neti, pot, etc. These things are where you should start and will provide both short and long term benefits.
B.
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Thanks B,
The neti pot certainly can help, particularly if you add a small amount of salt. And if sinus surgery becomes a last resort then balloon sinuplasty is worth a look. it’s certainly less invasive than traditional sinus surgery. That said, for some people the last resort comes a lot sooner than it really should, some of the “natural remedies” for recurring sinus infections can be marvelously effective for some, they are a lot cheaper and much less painful. Take a look at our sinus infection discovery review, it is certainly worth a try before you go down the surgery route. -
Always great to have more info. Thanks for the link. Balloon sinuplasty came up in coversation at work the other day, of all places.
I of course had to chime in w/ a reco of the neti pot which people who know me are sick of hearing, ha ha.
Ok thanks again and take care.
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i think if you’re a person looking for natural or less invasive treatments then the above are the right paths:
the rinses can be amazingly effective. and if you end up looking at surgery option it seems that balloon sinuplasty is less invasive of the options.
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