What is Balloon Sinuplasty?
Balloon sinuplasty uses a small, flexible balloon catheter to open up blocked sinus passageways to relieve pressure and pain in patients suffering from chronic sinusitis symptoms.
Sinuses are air-filled pockets behind the facial bones surrounding the nose. Each sinus has a natural opening through which mucus drains.
Frequent Sinusitis
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus lining often caused by infections and/or blockage of the sinus openings, altering the normal drainage. When you have frequent sinusitis, or the infection lasts three months or more, it could be chronic sinusitis.
This procedure is available without general anesthesia by applying a local anesthetic to the nasal tissue and is often done in the office. Recovery time take about 2 days and includes a headache and nasal congestion.
Post Operative Instruction after In-Office Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure
- Pain. You can expect mild to moderate nasal/facial pain after the procedure. You may take Tylenol or other medication as directed or prescribed by your surgeon.
- Drainage. You can expect some bleeding for a few days after surgery. You may also experience thick, brown drainage (mucus and old blood) from your nose for several weeks. If bleeding persists, elevate your head and lean forward while pinching your nostrils for 15 minutes.
- Congestion. Expect to have mild congestions for up to several days. To minimize nasal congestion, sleep with your head elevated for 2-3 days.
- Activity. No lifting more than 15 pounds, bending excessively or straining for 48 hours after your procedure. No vigorous exercise until instructed by your surgeon.
- If you need to cough or sneeze, do so with an open mouth. Do not blow your nose until 24 hours following the procedure.
- Medications. Do not resume blood-thinning medications such as aspirin NSAIDs, etc. until instructed by your surgeon.
- Use saline nasal spray to cleanse your nose (Ocean Spray, Simply Saline, etc.) two to four times/day. Perform nasal lavage (Sinus Irrigation) 5 times daily. This will help prevent large crusts from forming in your sinuses. Use other medicated nasal sprays according to your doctor’s instructions.
- Post-operative cleaning: You may require postoperative cleaning (called sinus debridement) periodically following the procedure.
- Call for: Fever >101.5F, persistent bleeding or clear watery drainage from your nose, visual changes, worsening headaches, or stiff neck.
