Dr. Shawn Allen has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
Page Updated:Breathe better, sleep better, feel better!
In-Office Balloon Sinuplasty
Patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis, sinus infections, or other sinus conditions sometimes find that medications don’t adequately address their symptoms. A balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that involves gently widening the openings and draining the sinuses. As a Board-Certified Otolaryngologist (ENT) and fellowship-trained sinus expert serving Houston and The Woodlands, Texas Dr. Shawn Allen regularly performs outpatient balloon sinuplasty to enlarge the sinus openings and eliminate bothersome symptoms arising from obstructed sinuses. The key to successful balloon sinuplasty is appropriate patient selection. Dr. Allen is highly skilled in all aspects of endoscopic sinus and nasal surgery, and can ensure that your treatment plan is tailored specifically to make you better regardless of the complexity of your sinus problems.
Benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty
Balloon sinuplasty, sometimes referred to as balloon sinus dilation, offers the following benefits for the appropriate patients:
- A fast, in-office procedure
- Minimally invasive
- Reduces or eliminate symptoms caused by chronic sinus infections (sinusitis)
- Prompt and long-lasting symptom relief
- Many patients find they require less medications for sinusitis relief
- Some patients experience an improved sense of smell
- May prevent the need for more invasive traditional sinus surgery with a higher risk of post-operative pain or bleeding
- Significant improvements in quality of life comparable to traditional sinus surgery
- Approved by the FDA, it is widely regarded as safe and effective
Who is a Candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty?
Many adults who suffer from chronic sinus infections or related problems may be good candidates for balloon sinuplasty. However, patient selection is key to a successful balloon sinuplasty procedure. For some patients, sinus problems are caused by nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or other issues that may require a different procedure. The best way to know whether this procedure is right for you is to discuss your symptoms with Dr. Allen and obtain an evaluation in the clinic.
Take our sinus quiz to learn more whether your symptoms may be a sign of a sinus problem that warrants further evaluation and treatment.
How Balloon Sinuplasty Works
Dr. Allen performs balloon sinuplasty on an outpatient basis at his offices in Houston and The Woodlands, Texas. This procedure ranges in length from a few minutes to around an hour when combined with multiple other interventions, and is often performed under intravenous (IV) sedation for improved patient comfort. In select cases it can be performed awake using local anesthesia according to patient preference.
To perform the procedure, Dr. Allen uses a small instrument called an endoscope. The endoscope is inserted into the patient’s nose, and a small camera on the end of the device gives Dr. Allen a clear view to determine optimal placement. Next, a balloon catheter is guided into place and gradually inflated to enlarge the sinus opening. Once the sinus passageways are open, Dr. Allen uses a saline solution to drain and clear the sinuses.
Balloon Sinuplasty Recovery and Results
Recovery time following a balloon sinuplasty procedure is typically brief. patients will want to rest for a day or two but then should be able to get back to work and light normal activities. Dr. Allen will recommend over-the-counter medication to help ease any mild discomfort.
Many of Dr. Allen’s patients notice an improvement in their ability to breathe through their noses nearly immediately after their balloon sinuplasty. 95% of patients who participated in a study on the balloon sinuplasty procedure reported enduring improvement in their sinus symptoms at their follow-up visits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Balloon Sinuplasty
How much time will I need to take off of work for my balloon sinuplasty procedure?
Most of Dr. Allen’s patients take one to two days off of work.
Will insurance cover my balloon sinuplasty?
In many cases, balloon sinuplasty is covered by patients’ medical insurance. Please feel free to contact our office to learn more about whether this procedure is covered by your plan.
Will a balloon sinuplasty cure my snoring?
Balloon sinuplasty is not a blanket cure for snoring. However, patients whose snoring is caused by a blocked sinus may notice a reduction in snoring.
Is balloon sinuplasty safe?
The balloon sinuplasty procedure is approved by the FDA and is widely considered to be safe and effective when performed by Board-Certified ENT such as Dr. Shawn Allen. Still, any medical procedure does carry some risk. In the case of balloon sinuplasty, the most common side effects are tissue injury and infection.
Contact Dr. Shawn Allen
If you live in Houston or The Woodlands and have been unable to achieve relief from sinusitis and other problems with medication, an in-office balloon sinuplasty performed by Dr. Shawn Allen may be the right treatment for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more about your treatment options.
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.