Mar 7, 2008 11:26 pm US/Eastern
New Procedure Could Help Chronic Sinus Sufferers
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Chronic sinus sufferers may breathe a lot easier with a new outpatient surgery similar to angioplasty for the heart.
Sinusitis is a swelling of the air-filled passages around your nose and throat. It's considered chronic if the usual symptoms of facial pain, trouble breathing and thick yellow nasal discharge go on for three straight months.
Typically, medications like antibiotics and steroids are tried first. Doctors say patients who haven't responded to medical therapy try surgery.
To remove any tissue blocking sinus damage, the standard surgery is with a thin, lighted, flexible tube and instruments inserted through the nose.
For the past two years, a newer method has been available where a tube is inserted the same way to guide a balloon into the sinus drainage tract. Once in place, the balloon is inflated, making the passage wider and sinus drainage easier.
Only a few people are ideal candidates, such as frequent air travelers and people with symptoms of sinusitis but not a lot of sinus disease.
The FDA has approved sinuplasty as being safe and effective, but no randomized controlled trials have been done. Patients are completely knocked out under anesthesia for the procedure. There's not information on how well it works long term.
Additionally, sometimes insurance companies will cover the surgery, but not the equipment. Balloons can cost $1,500.
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