Balloon Sinuplasty vs. Traditional Sinus Surgery in New Braunfels, TX
While not life-threatening in most cases, persistent sinus issues such as nasal congestion, breathing difficulties, postnasal drip, and sinus pain can be frustrating, especially if left untreated and unmanaged.
If medications prove to be ineffective, your ENT doctor in New Braunfels, TX, may start discussing additional evaluation and treatment options, which may include sinus surgery.
Here’s what you need to know about sinus surgery before making a decision:
What Is Sinus Surgery?
Sinus surgery is an ENT procedure that may treat appropriate cases of chronic sinusitis and address other persistent sinus issues that may not respond well to standard medications. Your ENT doctor may recommend this if other forms of treatment prove to be ineffective.
An ENT specialist in New Braunfels, TX, will perform thorough sinus evaluations to assess your symptoms and help determine whether sinus surgery may be appropriate. You may be appropriate for sinus surgery based on clinical findings, symptoms severity, medical history, and other individual health factors.
During your ENT consultation, you will come across 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 may treat select cases of chronic sinusitis. If you are an appropriate patient, your ENT doctor may recommend this procedure if your condition doesn’t respond well to other forms of treatment, such as medications.
The procedure uses a small and flexible balloon catheter that is inserted into the affected sinus cavity, to widen the sinus passages.
What happens during the balloon sinuplasty procedure?
To start the procedure, your ENT physician will inject local anesthesia into the tissues lining your sinuses to numb the area for treatment. Then, they will insert a small, flexible balloon catheter into the affected sinus cavity via the nose. Once in place, the balloon is gently inflated. This is intended to widen the blocked sinus passages, which may help support sinus drainage in appropriate cases. Then, the balloon is deflated and removed.
What happens after the balloon sinuplasty procedure?
After the balloon sinuplasty procedure, you will be asked to stay in the hospital or doctor’s office until your ENT care team determines you are ready for discharge.
During your pre-procedure consultation, your doctor will walk you through the procedure, including what you can expect during and after your treatment. They may also recommend that you have another responsible adult take you to and from your appointment for safety.
General healing and recovery instructions may include:
- Use nasal packing, if necessary
- Avoid blowing your nose for 24 to 48 after the procedure
- Rinse your nose with a saline solution
- Keep your head elevated to manage post-procedure nasal congestion
- Avoid engaging in strenuous activities for about seven days after the procedure
- Schedule follow-up appointments with your physician so they can monitor healing and recovery
Healing experiences and recovery timelines vary per patient, depending on personal health factors. As this is a medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects, which may include congestion, swelling, and a bloody nasal discharge.
What Is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is an ENT procedure that may treat certain cases of chronic sinusitis related to structural issues, such as nasal polyps. Your ENT doctor in New Braunfels, TX, may recommend this procedure if your condition doesn’t respond to other forms of treatment, depending on the severity of your symptoms, nasal structure, and potential structural abnormalities.
Through FESS, ENT doctors may operate on the sinuses without making external cuts or incisions.
What happens during the FESS procedure?
To begin the procedure, your ENT doctor puts you to sleep with general anesthesia, so you will be unconscious for the entire procedure. Sometimes, they may also use a local anesthetic injected to the nasal tissues to improve comfort and manage bleeding.
Then, they will insert an instrument called an endoscope (which has a light and a camera on one end) into the affected sinus cavity via the nostril. They will then use specialized instruments to remove nasal polyps, bone, or diseased tissue which may be causing persistent nasal blockages.
What happens after the FESS procedure?
After the procedure, you will be asked to stay in the hospital or medical office until you wake up and feel comfortable to leave.
During your consultation before the scheduled procedure, your ENT doctor will thoroughly explain to you the entire procedure, including what you can expect during and after. You may also be asked to have someone take you to and from your appointment as a safety precaution.
Healing experiences and timelines will vary per patient. General instructions to aid healing and recovery may include:
- Rinse your nose with a saline solution
- Avoid blowing your nose for about a week after the procedure
- Open your mouth when you sneeze
- Avoid engaging in strenuous activities as advised by your doctor
- Schedule follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor your healing and recovery progress
This is a medical procedure, and there are potential risks and complications, such as bleeding, swelling, and general discomfort in the treatment area.
Commonly Asked Questions About Sinus Surgery in New Braunfels, TX
What is chronic sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis is a long-term irritation, swelling, and inflammation of the tissues lining the sinuses. The sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces located behind the nose, cheeks, and forehead. They produce mucus and humidify the air we breathe. Sometimes, though, they can become irritated and swollen, which can trap mucus.
Common symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:
- Postnasal drip, or mucus dripping down the back of the throat
- Pain and pressure around the nose, cheeks, eyes, and forehead
- A stuffy nose with thick yellow or green discharge
- Ear pain and/or toothache
- Cough
- Loss of taste or smell
- Halitosis, or chronic bad breath
Symptoms typically last 12 weeks or longer.
When might sinus surgery be considered?
While most cases of persistent sinus issues are not life-threatening, they can affect daily life, productivity, sleep, and comfort, especially if left untreated and unmanaged. Your ENT physician can help evaluate your symptoms and determine if you will benefit from sinus surgery.
Which sinus surgery may be appropriate for chronic sinusitis?
Your ENT care provider can help assess your condition and guide you toward the appropriate treatment plan, based on clinical findings, severity of the condition, potential underlying causes, sinus anatomy, structural abnormalities, and other individual health factors.
Conclusion: Learn More About Sinus Surgery Options in New Braunfels, TX
New Braunfels Breathe Free provides ENT services for the residents of New Braunfels and the surrounding communities. Visit and explore our website for more information about our clinic and services.
