BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — If you suffer from what you write-off as being “serious allergies” living in South Florida, you may consider a visit with a specialist at Boca Regional Hospital. The medical center is now offering “Balloon Sinuplasty.” Simply put — it's an easy way to open up your painful, closed sinuses.
According to Boca Regional:
Sinusitis affects nearly 40 million people each year, making it one of the most common health problems in the United States. For many patients, their condition can be controlled through conservative, medical management. A significant number, however, fail to respond to these therapies and suffer from habitual headaches, facial pain and other manifestations of the condition.
According to Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Nathan Nachlas, MD, a new procedure being performed at Boca Raton Regional Hospital offers individuals with chronic sinusitis significant relief from their symptoms. “Balloon sinuplasty is an FDA-approved endoscopic surgical procedure that is demonstrating excellent results for our patients,” he said.
As Dr. Nachlas explained, balloon sinuplasty differs significantly from traditional sinus surgery in that there is no “cutting.” Dr. Nachlas inserts a catheter through the nostril into the sinus opening under endoscopic visualization. The endoscope allows a better view into the nasal passages and ensures that the catheter is inserted in the proper location. Moreover, a sinus illumination system provides transcutaneous light transmission that aids Dr. Nachlas in the correct placement of the guide catheter.
Once access to the intended location is confirmed by illumination, a balloon catheter is introduced into the sinus cavity and positioned in the blocked area. The balloon is then inflated to open the narrowed or blocked portion of the particular sinus and regain normal drainage and function. After the balloon is deflated, the area is irrigated to remove any remaining debris.
“The procedure is very similar in theory and technique to what is done to open blocked arteries during cardiac catheterization,” said Dr. Nachlas.
While balloon sinuplasty is not indicated for blockages in all sinus passages, it has shown to be quite successful in the treatment of disease in the maxillary (cheek), frontal (over the eyes) and sphenoid (middle of the head) sinuses. The procedure entails little or no bleeding and full recovery can be as quick as one or two days. Transillumination also eliminates the need for significant X-ray exposure that is found in conventional sinus surgery.
“Balloon sinuplasty provides us with an effective and efficient therapy for the treatment of chronic sinusitis,” commented Dr. Nachlas. “It is a tremendous advance over more traditional techniques and offers material benefits for the patient.”
