Are your sinus problems so severe that they impact your life? If you've tried home remedies and prescription medications and still suffer, sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty may offer the best way to ease your symptoms. Dr. Gordon Siegel, your Chicago, IL otolaryngologist at Midwest Ear Nose and Throat, shares some information about these procedures.
When is surgery recommended?
Surgery is generally not the first treatment option offered and is only recommended if nothing you've tried helps your sinus issues. When sinus infections, pain and congestion become chronic and recurrent and don't respond well to medications or home treatments, Dr. Siegel may suggest sinus surgery. This procedure is usually performed to eliminate blockages or address other problems that can cause breathing difficulties or make it difficult for your sinuses to drain properly.
Is sinus surgery a major procedure?
Thanks to technological advances, sinus surgery can be performed using minimally invasive techniques. Surgery is conducted using an endoscope, a thin flexible probe that's inserted into your sinuses through your nostrils. The probe contains a camera on the end that sends images to a computer monitor. After inserting tiny surgical instruments into your sinuses, Dr. Siegel consults the images to remove blockages, polyps and scar tissues, and correct structural problems, such as a deviated septum. The same-day surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and usually only takes a few hours.
How will surgery help me?
After surgery, as the swelling gradually decreases over the next several weeks, you'll begin to notice an improvement in your ability to breathe. After surgery, most people experience fewer infections. If you do happen to get an occasional infection, it will probably be less severe than in the past. Although you may not have realized it, your sinus problems may have affected your sense of smell. After surgery, you'll be able to smell normally once again.
What is balloon sinuplasty?
A balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to clear blockage and inflammation in your sinuses. You might benefit from this procedure if you suffer from sinus problems or have difficulty breathing through your nose and other treatments have not offered relief. A small balloon is placed in your nostril and expanded to widen the sinus drainage pathways.
The benefits of this procedure are that it is minimally invasive and provides long lasting relief. It is a short outpatient procedure done right in our office and can be done in as little as an hour. It also offers a quick recovery period. It may be an alternative to sinus surgery allowing you to breathe normally again.
Do you suffer from breathing problems or frequent sinus infections? Call Dr. Siegel, your Chicago, IL otolaryngologist at Midwest Ear Nose and Throat, at (312) 988-7777 to schedule an appointment to learn if sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty are a good option for you.