Do you suffer from sinus blockage that is too severe to be treated by traditional medicinal methods? Have you heard about a balloon sinuplasty but are intimidated by going through the procedure? A balloon sinuplasty with Houston Advanced Nose and Sinus may be for you, as Dr. Kuperan is one of few rhinologists that performs the procedure under light anesthesia, so you don’t feel a thing.

What is a Balloon Sinuplasty?

A Balloon Sinuplasty is an in-office procedure performed on patients who suffer from blockages in the sinus (like tissues, growths, foreign objects, bone) and/or on those who haven’t experienced sinus symptom relief through more traditional treatment methods like medication or surgery. A balloon sinuplasty can provide patients with sinus relief and help them breathe more easily.

How is a Balloon Sinuplasty Performed?

Before the procedure, a certified anesthesiologist will administer light anesthia through an IV, allowing you to wake up shortly after the procedure is completed.

An ENT performs a balloon sinuplasty the way heart surgeons open blocked arteries. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through the nasal openings and a tiny balloon is inflated. As air fills balloon, the passageway expands by breaking paper thin bones and other obstructions. Then, a tiny shaver called a microdebrider is used to remove polyp tissue and facilitate drainage of mucus.

Lastly, the balloon is deflated, leaving the passageway open to allow fluid to drain and relieve sinus issues. Totaling under thirty minutes, the procedure can be performed in one single office visit and provides a fast recovery; most patients return to normal activity within two days.

What is IV Sedation?

IV Sedation is administered through an IV, usually in a patient’s arm, and is a light form of anesthesia that ensures patients are asleep and feel no pain during medical procedures. IV Sedation is a huge help to both patients undergoing a balloon sinuplasty and to the surgeons performing them. 

Why IV Sedation?

IV Sedation is Pain-Free and Easier for the Surgeon

Under IV sedation, patients feel no pain, which also allows for the physician to complete a more thorough procedure. For a balloon sinuplasty where patients must remain awake, the surgeon may not always be able to complete the procedure, as they do not want to cause their patients discomfort. For example, sometimes during an awake balloon sinuplasty, surgeons are unable to open certain sinuses because it causes too much pain to the patient, resulting in a suboptimal outcome for the procedure. Additionally, IV Sedation makes it easier for the surgeon to wash out a patient’s sinuses with antibiotic solution. 

IV Sedation Allows for Safer, More Complete Treatment

IV sedation also allows rhinologists to incorporate additional procedures into the balloon sinuplasty if necessary—such as a deviated septum repair (septoplasty) or an inferior turbinate reduction—which cannot be performed on awake patients due to their highly painful nature. IV Sedation reduces patients’ recovery time and is far safer, as the surgeon can perform more than one procedure while only putting the patient under sedation once. 

IV Sedation Makes a Balloon Sinuplasty Quicker

In general, IV Sedation allows the balloon sinuplasty to take less time, as no nerve blocks or numbing treatments are necessary because the patients are asleep and do not feel anything. Additionally, surgeons often place stents in certain sinuses to keep them open once the balloon sinuplasty is completed, which, without IV Sedation is extremely painful. 

If you think you and your sinuses could benefit from a balloon sinuplasty, consult with Dr. Kuperan at Houston Advanced Nose and Sinus today, and discuss how the use of IV Sedation during the procedure could help you.