The Difference Between Traditional Sinus Surgery and Balloon Sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty (BSP) has been heralded as a “breakthrough in endoscopic sinus surgery.” This safe and effective procedure offers relief to people suffering from sinusitis and sinus pain symptoms caused by everything from allergies to infection. Wondering what makes BSP different from traditional sinus surgery? While both share the same goal of reducing inflammation, keeping nasal passages draining, and correcting the underlying issue, they do differ in several key ways.Here’s a closer look at the differences between traditional sinus surgery and balloon sinuplasty, along with why the latter offers new hope for a better quality of life for people living with chronic sinusitis.

Level of Invasiveness

One of the primary differences between traditional sinus surgery and BSP is level of invasiveness. While traditional sinus surgery requires the removal of bone or tissue from the nose, BSP involves less trauma to the surrounding tissue thanks to the development of less invasive technology which allows ear, nose and throat doctors (ENTs) to open inflamed sinuses via the same method heart surgeons use during balloon angioplasty to open up blocked arteries. During BSP, doctors insert a small, flexible balloon catheter into the affected area, which gently expands the tissue.Because of its minimal level of invasiveness, BSP can be performed as an in-office procedure and takes an average of just 20 minutes, compared to traditional sinus surgery in a hospital or surgical center.Furthermore, cutting-edge BSP also has a reduced risk complications, as well as a lower likelihood of scarring and the need for follow-up surgery to correct it.Lastly, while traditional sinus surgery usually involves packing of the nose following the procedure, BSP’s less invasive nature eliminates the need for this uncomfortable step.

Recovery Time

Not only is BSP is less invasive than conventional sinus surgery, it also involves less pain and a faster recovery time. One study of in-office balloon dilation reveals that not only is the procedure “tolerable or highly tolerable” to more than 82 percent of patients, but most patients return to normal activity within 48 hours. No further care is required following BSP, and the results are long-lasting. Meanwhile, recovery from traditional sinus surgery can take anywhere from a few days to multiple weeks.There’s a reason why more than 535,000 people suffering from chronic sinusitis have chosen BSP with great success. In fact, the vast majority of them report significant improvements in symptoms two years after the procedure. And while both conventional sinus surgery and BSP may have to be repeated if symptoms recur in the future, BSP’s convenience makes it a more preferable option.If you’re living with the pressure, pain, congestion, coughing, and fatigue of chronic sinusitis in the San Antonio, Texas area, there’s no need to continue to suffer. Nor is there a need for painful, invasive surgery with the potential for a prolonged recovery time and complications. Instead, consider balloon sinuplasty. To learn more about BSP and whether you’re a candidate for this life-changing treatment, book an appointment with the American Sinus Institute today.