Balloon Sinuplasty vs. Traditional Sinus Surgery in Bethesda, MD

What Is Sinus Surgery?

Sinus surgery is an ENT treatment and procedure that may be recommended to treat and address certain cases of chronic sinusitis and other persistent sinus issues that may not be responding well to standard medications and other forms of conservative treatment options.

Here at Bethesda ENT & Sinus Center, our team performs thorough sinus evaluations to assess symptoms and determine if you will benefit from sinus surgery, depending on clinical findings, symptom severity, nasal anatomy, medical history, treatment goals, and other individual health factors.

Two procedures that may be considered for certain patients with chronic sinus disease are balloon sinus dilation and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).

Here’s what you need to know about these two types of sinus surgeries:

What Is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that may be considered to treat some cases of chronic sinusitis. An ENT doctor may recommend this procedure for appropriate patients whose condition and symptoms do not respond well to other forms of treatment, such as medications.

The procedure is intended to widen selected sinus drainage pathways in appropriately selected patients.

What happens during the procedure?

To begin the procedure, your ENT doctor will administer local anesthesia into the tissues lining the sinuses to numb the area for treatment. A small balloon catheter is guided through the nostril and positioned at the targeted sinus drainage pathway. The balloon is then inflated to dilate the opening before being deflated and removed.

What happens after the procedure?

After the procedure, you may be asked to stay in the doctor’s office until your care team determines that you are ready for discharge. It may also be recommended that you have another adult to take you to and from your appointment for additional safety.

During your pre-procedure consultation, your physician will walk you through what to expect during and after the procedure.

While healing and recovery instructions will depend on your personal condition and circumstances, they may include:

• Avoid blowing your nose for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure
• Rinse your nose with a saline solution
• Use nasal packing if necessary
• Keep your head elevated to manage nasal congestion after the procedure
• Avoid engaging in strenuous activities for about seven days after the procedure
• Follow-up appointments with your care provider to monitor healing and recovery

As with any medical procedure, balloon sinus dilation carries potential risks and side effects. Your physician should discuss the risks, benefits, alternatives, and expected recovery with you before treatment. Recovery timelines and healing experiences vary significantly per patient, depending on a variety of individual health factors.

What Is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is a type of sinus surgery that may be recommended to treat certain cases of chronic sinusitis, as well as address structural sinus issues and abnormalities, such as nasal polyps. FESS is typically performed through the nostrils using an endoscope and generally does not require external facial incisions.

Your care provider may recommend this treatment option depending on the severity of your symptoms, nasal structure, structural abnormalities, and potential underlying causes.

What happens during the procedure?

FESS is commonly performed under general anesthesia, although the anesthesia approach may vary depending on the patient. Then, they will also inject local anesthesia into the tissues lining the sinuses to numb the area for treatment and increase comfort.

Then, they will insert an endoscope (an instrument with a light and a camera on one end) into the affected sinus cavity through the nose. Depending on the procedure and clinical findings, specialized instruments may be used to remove or modify tissue or bone to improve access to and drainage of affected sinuses.

What happens after the procedure?

After the FESS procedure, you will stay inside the hospital or the doctor’s medical office until the general anesthesia wears off and you are comfortable leaving. It may also be recommended that you have another responsible adult take you to and from your appointment as an additional precaution.

Before your appointment, your ENT doctor will explain what you can expect during and after the procedure. They will give you detailed instructions for the healing and recovery process. General guidelines may include:

• Avoid blowing your nose for about seven days after the procedure
• Rinse your nose with a saline solution
• Avoid strenuous activities as recommended by your doctor
• Open your mouth when you sneeze
• Follow-up appointments with your care provider to monitor healing and recovery

FESS carries potential risks and complications in addition to expected postoperative symptoms. Your surgeon should review the procedure-specific risks, benefits, alternatives, and expected recovery before surgery.

Commonly Asked Questions About Sinus Surgery in Chevy Chase, MD

What is chronic sinusitis?

Chronic sinusitis is a long-term irritation, swelling, and inflammation of the tissues and membranes lining the sinuses, with symptoms lasting for about 12 weeks or longer.

The sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces behind the nose, cheeks, and forehead. During normal sinus function, they produce mucus that humidifies the air we breathe and traps and removes particles and irritants. But sometimes, they can become irritated and swollen, which can trap mucus.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain, pressure, or tenderness around the nose, eyes, cheeks, and forehead
• A stuffy nose with thick yellow or green nasal discharge
• Postnasal drip, or mucus dripping down the back of the throat
• Ear pain
• Toothache
• Coughing
• Loss of taste or smell
• Halitosis (chronic bad breath) or a bad taste in the mouth

Which type of sinus surgery is best for chronic sinusitis?

Your ENT care provider can help assess your symptoms and guide you toward the appropriate treatment approach based on the severity of your condition, clinical findings, potential underlying causes, sinus anatomy, treatment goals, and other individual health factors.

Is sinus surgery in Chevy Chase, MD, worth it?

Persistent sinus symptoms can affect daily activities, sleep, and quality of life for some people. Consulting with an ENT specialist can help assess your condition and determine if sinus surgery may be appropriate.

Conclusion: Learn More About Sinus Treatments in Bethesda, MD

Bethesda ENT & Sinus Center provides ear, nose, and throat care services at our Chevy Chase location and serves patients in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, and surrounding Montgomery County communities.

If you are dealing with persistent sinus issues that have started to impact your day-to-day life, contact our team to learn more about potential treatment options.