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Balloon Sinuplasty
Patients suffering from sinus conditions such as frequent sinus infections and chronic sinusitis often become frustrated when their symptoms aren’t adequately addressed by medications. An in-office procedure called balloon sinuplasty performed by Dr. Shawn Allen of Conroe, Montgomery County, TX can clear the sinus and enlarge sinus openings to free patients from their uncomfortable symptoms. Dr. Allen is a Board-Certified Otolaryngologist (ENT) and fellowship-trained Rhinologist who specializes in performing endoscopic sinus surgery and will recommend the appropriate treatment to help patients with even the most complex sinus problems feel better.
Benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty
Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that offers significant benefits for the appropriate patient, including:
- A fast procedure performed in Dr. Allen’s office
- Reduces or eliminates uncomfortable symptoms of chronic sinusitis (sinus infections)
- Fast, long-lasting results
- Patients often require less medication to alleviate their sinus symptoms
- Potential improvement in ability to smell
- May be an alternative to traditional sinus surgery, a more invasive procedure with increased risks of postoperative pain and
Trusted Source
Functional endoscopic dilatation of the sinuses: patient satisfaction, postoperative pain, and cost
Friedman M, Schalch P, Lin HC, Mazloom N, Neidich M, Joseph NJ
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bleeding
- When compared to traditional sinus surgery, balloon sinuplasty patients show significant improvements in quality of
Trusted Source
Long-term outcome analysis of balloon catheter sinusotomy: two-year follow-up
Weiss RL, Church CA, Kuhn FA, Levine HL, Sillers MJ, Vaughan WC
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life
- FDA approved and widely considered to be
Trusted Source
Office-based balloon sinus dilation: a prospective, multicenter study of 203 patients
Karanfilov B, Silvers S, Pasha R, Sikand A, Shikani A, Sillers M; ORIOS2 Study Investigators
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safe and effective
Who is a Candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty?
The key to achieving good results from a balloon sinuplasty procedure is careful patient selection. Adults who suffer from chronic sinusitis (sinus infections) are often good candidates for balloon sinus dilation. When a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or other issues in the nasal passages are the cause of a patient’s sinus problems, different treatment options may be recommended.
If you have a sinus problem, take our sinus quiz to learn whether you may benefit from further evaluation and treatment.
Preparing for Sinus Surgery
Before your minimally invasive sinus surgery, Dr. Allen will evaluate your symptoms and conduct an examination to determine whether you are a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty. If so, he will educate you about the procedure and answer any questions you may have. Once your balloon sinus surgery has been scheduled, you will receive detailed pre- and post-operative instructions.
How Balloon Sinuplasty Works
The balloon sinuplasty procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at Dr. Allen’s offices near Conroe, TX. Dr. Allen performs this surgery under intravenous (IV) sedation to avoid patient discomfort, though some patients opt to remain awake and use local anesthesia instead. Depending on the number of interventions required to alleviate the patient’s symptoms, balloon sinus dilation may take a few minutes to a couple of hours.
Dr. Allen performs balloon sinus dilation using a small camera called an endoscope, which is inserted into the patient’s nose. This gives Dr. Allen a clear view as he inserts a balloon catheter into each sinus. The balloon catheters are gradually inflated to expand the sinus opening, then a saline solution (sometimes with antibiotic) is used to flush and clear the opened sinus passageways.
Balloon Sinuplasty Recovery and Results
Patients typically experience a brief recovery time after balloon sinuplasty. Most patients rest for a day or two before returning to work and normal activities. Any mild discomfort patients experience may be treated with over-the-counter medication.
Dr. Allen’s patients frequently comment that they can breathe more easily through their noses immediately after their balloon sinuplasty procedure. Swelling of the nose and sinus passageways can be expected for the first few days, but will resolve within the first week.
In a recent study conducted on the balloon sinuplasty procedure, 95% of patients reported a consistent improvement in their sinus symptoms at follow-up visits with their
Trusted Source
Multicenter registry of balloon catheter sinusotomy outcomes for 1,036 patients
Levine HL, Sertich AP 2nd, Hoisington DR, Weiss RL, Pritikin J; PatiENT Registry Study Group
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doctors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Balloon Sinuplasty
How much time will I need to take off of work for balloon sinuplasty?
You will want to rest after your balloon sinuplasty procedure. The majority of Dr. Allen’s patients return to work after one to two days, though patients who require additional procedures may take up to one week off.
How much does balloon sinuplasty cost?
The cost of endoscopic sinus surgery varies according to patients’ individual needs. A member of our team will go over the cost of your procedure once any insurance coverage is applied.
Will my balloon sinuplasty be covered by insurance?
Balloon sinuplasty is considered to be medically necessary when certain criteria are present, which makes it eligible for coverage by most medical insurance plans. Our office team can help you learn more about your plan.
Can balloon sinuplasty cure snoring?
Sometimes. In some cases, snoring is caused or exacerbated by nasal swelling in reaction to a blocked sinus, and balloon sinus dilation may help. Snoring is more likely to improve when problems with the nasal airway are also addressed. In these cases, balloon sinuplasty may be combined with turbinoplasty or septoplasty.
What are the risks of balloon sinuplasty?
Balloon sinuplasty is an FDA-approved procedure that is considered to be safe and effective, especially when performed by an experienced and Board-Certified ENT with fellowship-training in Sinus Procedures such as Dr. Shawn Allen.
Every surgical procedure is associated with potential risks and side effects. The most common balloon sinuplasty side effects are temporary nosebleeds and mild pressure and discomfort associated with nasal drainage (as with a common cold). Rare complications of balloon sinuplasty include scarring, sinus infection, sinus obstruction, and decreased ability to smell.
Reported complications of balloon sinuplasty are more mild and less likely when this procedure is compared to traditional
Trusted Source
Acclarent® Balloon Sinuplasty Device Safety Information
Medical Devices Business Services
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endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).
Contact Dr. Shawn Allen
If you live in Conroe or Montgomery County, TX and suffer from uncomfortable sinus infection symptoms that have not responded well to medications, you may benefit from an in-office balloon sinuplasty performed by Dr. Shawn Allen. To learn more about this procedure and whether you are a good candidate, please contact us to schedule a consultation.
1 Friedman M, Schalch P, Lin HC, Mazloom N, Neidich M, Joseph NJ. Functional endoscopic dilatation of the sinuses: patient satisfaction, postoperative pain, and cost. Am J Rhinol. 2008 Mar-Apr;22(2):204-9. doi: 10.2500/ajr.2008.22.3155. PMID: 18416981. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18416981/. Accessed October 27, 2022.
2 Weiss RL, Church CA, Kuhn FA, Levine HL, Sillers MJ, Vaughan WC. Long-term outcome analysis of balloon catheter sinusotomy: two-year follow-up. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Sep;139(3 Suppl 3):S38-46. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2008.06.008. PMID: 18707993. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18707993/. Accessed October 27, 2022.
3 Karanfilov B, Silvers S, Pasha R, Sikand A, Shikani A, Sillers M; ORIOS2 Study Investigators. Office-based balloon sinus dilation: a prospective, multicenter study of 203 patients. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2013 May;3(5):404-11. doi: 10.1002/alr.21112. Epub 2012 Nov 7. PMID: 23136057. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23136057/. Accessed October 27, 2022.
4 Levine HL, Sertich AP 2nd, Hoisington DR, Weiss RL, Pritikin J; PatiENT Registry Study Group. Multicenter registry of balloon catheter sinusotomy outcomes for 1,036 patients. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2008 Apr;117(4):263-70. doi: 10.1177/000348940811700405. PMID: 18478835. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18478835/. Accessed October 27, 2022.
5 Medical Devices Business Services. Acclarent® Balloon Sinuplasty Device Safety Information. Available: https://www.jnjmedicaldevices.com/en-US/service-details/answers-your-sinusitis-questions#Is%20Balloon%20Sinuplasty%20safe. Accessed October 27, 2022.