In 2006, Drs. Siegel and Bosworth, along with several physicians from John Hopkins University, were the first physicians on the East Coast to perform balloon sinuplasty. This procedure is similar to balloon angioplasty where the heart arteries are dilated with a balloon on a catheter. In balloon sinuplasty, a guide wire is gently advanced through the nose into a sinus opening. A balloon is then inflated, permanently widening the sinus opening. The balloon is then removed. In some cases, the balloon can be used to straighten the septum as well to further improve nasal airflow.
Balloon sinuplasty is useful in select patients to help resolve recurrent sinus infections and facial pressure. This procedure was previously only performed under general anesthesia, but Drs. Siegel, Bosworth, and Sorensen were the first ENT surgeons in the suburban Maryland area to perform balloon sinuplasty as an office procedure under local anesthesia.
Performing the procedure under local anesthesia as an office procedure has made the recovery much simpler. Patients return to work the day following the procedure and report minimal discomfort.
Since 2011, the results have been excellent with patients overall reporting that they would have done the procedure earlier if they knew then what they know now.
If you have recurrent sinus infections or chronic facial pressure, make an appointment to see if you would benefit from this life-changing procedure.
Read more about a new procedure available here: Chronic Sinusitis: New procedure available