Balloon Sinuplasty vs. Traditional Sinus Surgery in Frederick, MD

Chronic sinusitis is not life-threatening in most cases. However, common symptoms like nasal congestion, breathing difficulties, postnasal drip, sinus pain, and headaches can be frustrating, and if left untreated, they can affect day-to-day productivity, sleep quality, and comfort.

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Sinus surgery is an ENT treatment option that your ENT doctor in Frederick, MD, might start exploring if medications prove to be ineffective in managing your symptoms.

What Is Sinus Surgery?

Sinus surgery is an ENT treatment option intended to treat and address some cases of chronic sinusitis, structural sinus issues, and other persistent sinus problems. An ENT specialist may explore other treatment options, such as sinus surgery, if medications and other forms of treatment don’t work in managing the condition and symptoms.

At Frederick Breathe Free, evaluations are focused on assessing symptoms to assess your condition and help determine whether sinus surgery may be an appropriate option, taking into account your clinical findings, symptom severity, medical history, and other individual health factors.

During your ENT consultation, you will learn of two common types of sinus surgery: balloon sinuplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

What Is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive ENT procedure that can be performed to treat certain cases of chronic sinusitis, should your doctor determine that you are an appropriate candidate, based on your clinical findings, symptoms, medical history, and potential underlying causes.

The procedure uses a small, flexible balloon catheter that is inserted into the affected sinus cavity through the nose. In appropriate cases, the procedure may help widen and open blocked sinus passages and may help improve mucus drainage and airflow.

What happens during a balloon sinuplasty procedure?

To begin a balloon sinuplasty procedure, your ENT doctor injects local anesthesia into the tissues lining your sinuses to numb the area for treatment. Then, they insert a small and flexible balloon catheter into the affected sinus cavity through your nose. Once in place, the balloon is gently inflated, which may widen blocked sinus passages and support sinus drainage and airflow in appropriate patients. Then, the balloon is deflated and gently removed.

What happens after a balloon sinuplasty procedure?

After the procedure, you will stay in the hospital or the medical office until you are comfortable leaving and going home. Your doctor may also advise you to have another adult take you to and from your appointment.

During your pre-procedure consultation, your ENT doctor will thoroughly discuss the entire procedure, including what you can expect after. They will give you detailed instructions for the healing and recovery stage after the procedure, which may generally include the following:

☑️Use nasal packing if necessary

☑️Avoid blowing your nose for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure

☑️Rinse your nose with a saline solution

☑️Avoid engaging in strenuous activities for at least a week after the procedure

☑️Keep your head elevated during sleep to help with post-procedure congestion

☑️Keep follow-up appointments so your physician can monitor your healing progress

As this is a medical procedure, there are risks for side effects, including congestion, swelling, and a bloody nasal discharge.

What Is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is a type of sinus surgery that can potentially treat certain cases of chronic sinusitis and address nasal polyps and other structural sinus issues. The procedure allows ENT doctors to perform surgery on the sinuses without making external cuts or incisions in the treatment area.

If your condition and symptoms don’t respond well to other forms of treatment, such as medications, your physician may start exploring other options, based on your symptoms, test results, nasal anatomy, and potential underlying causes.

What happens during a FESS procedure?

To begin a FESS procedure, your ENT doctor administers general anesthesia so you are asleep during the entirety of your procedure. Then, they inject local anesthesia into the tissues lining the sinuses to numb them for treatment.

Your ENT doctor inserts a nasal endoscope (a thin, flexible instrument with a camera on one end) into the affected sinus cavity via the nostril. Then, they use specialized instruments to remove nasal polyps, bone, or diseased tissue that may be contributing to persistent sinus blockages and sinus complications.

What happens after a FESS procedure?

After the procedure, you will stay in the hospital or the medical office until you wake up and are comfortable going home. You may also be advised to have another adult take you to and from your appointment in Frederick, MD, as an extra safety precaution.

During your consultation before your scheduled treatment appointment, your doctor will carefully walk you through the entire procedure, including what to expect after. They will give you detailed post-procedure instructions for healing and recovery, which may include:

☑️Avoid blowing your nose for about a week after the procedure

☑️Rinse your nose with a saline solution

☑️When you sneeze, open your mouth to do so

☑️Avoid engaging in strenuous activities as advised by your physician

☑️Keep follow-up appointments so your physician can monitor your healing progress

As with other medical procedures, there are potential risks and side effects, which may include bleeding, swelling, and general discomfort in the treatment area.

Commonly Asked Questions About Sinus Surgery in Frederick, MD

What is chronic sinusitis?

Chronic sinusitis is a long-term irritation, swelling, and inflammation of the tissues lining the sinuses, which can last longer than 12 weeks. The sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces behind the nose, cheeks, and forehead that naturally produce mucus and humidify the air we breathe. Sometimes, though, they can become irritated and swollen, which traps mucus.

Common symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:

• A stuffy nose with thick yellow or green mucus discharge
• Postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of the throat)
• Pain, pressure, or tenderness around the nose, cheeks, eyes, and forehead
• Cough
• Ear pain
• Toothache
• Loss of taste or smell
• Halitosis (chronic bad breath) or a bad taste in the mouth

Which type of sinus surgery is right for me?

Both balloon sinuplasty and FESS are commonly used ENT treatment options in Frederick, MD, for appropriate cases of persistent sinus conditions that don’t respond to other forms of treatment. The most appropriate option for you depends on factors such as your sinus anatomy, the severity of the disease, and the presence (or absence) of structural abnormalities.

Your ENT care provider can assess your condition and help determine which of the two is more appropriate for you, based on your test results, symptom severity, underlying causes, medical history, and other individual health factors.

Is sinus surgery in Frederick, MD, worth it?

While persistent or chronic sinus issues are not life-threatening in most cases, untreated and unmanaged conditions can affect daily life, productivity, sleep, and comfort. A consultation with an ENT specialist can assess whether sinus surgery may be an appropriate option for your condition.

Learn More About Sinus Surgery Near Frederick, MD

Frederick Breathe Free is an ENT clinic located in Frederick, MD, and serves patients in Frederick, Urbana, Walkersville, and the surrounding Maryland communities. Patients who wish to learn more about our clinic, services, and specialties can visit and explore our website for more information.