Balloon Sinuplasty - The Procedure

The Procedure

Sinus surgery with balloon sinuplasty may be performed safely in a hospital or outpatient surgery setting. The surgeon and patient will determine whether general anesthesia, local anesthesia or no anethesia will be used depending upon the patient's medical history and the type of sinus condition that needs to be managed.

When performing balloon sinuplasty, the physician inserts a catheter through the nostril into the sinus opening under endoscopic visualization. The endoscope allows a better view into the nasal passages to increase the probability that the catheter is inserted into the proper location. A sinus guide wire or sinus illumination system is then introduced into the targeted sinus. The sinus illumination system provides transcutaneous light transmission that helps the physician ensure correct placement of the guide catheter. When the balloon sinuplasty system was introduced in 2005, illuminated wires were not included and surgeons confirmed the wire location with x-rays/fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopic systems are still in use today and can involve significant X-ray exposure.

Once access to the intended location is confirmed by transillumination or fluoroscopy, a balloon catheter is introduced into the sinus cavity over the sinus guide wire or sinus illumination system and positioned in the blocked ostium for inflation. Once the position has been accepted visually, the balloon is inflated to open the narrow or blocked ostium. The balloon is then deflated and removed. Next, an irrigation catheter may be advanced over the sinus guide wire or sinus illumination system to flush out the sinus.