Balloon Sinuplasty Specialist
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South Coast Ear, Nose and Throat
Avrum Kaufman, DO
ENT & Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon located in Ladera Ranch, CA & Irvine, CA
A temporary bout of nasal congestion and sinus pain is enough to make you miserable, so imagine having never-ending symptoms due to chronic sinusitis. If you suffer from this problem, you may want to consider balloon sinuplasty evaluations by Avrum Kaufman, DO, at South Coast Ear, Nose and Throat. Evaluations for this procedure are offered at both locations in Ladera Ranch and Irvine, California. The cost-effective procedure delivers instant symptom relief, produces long-term results, and boasts a 97% success rate. To see if balloon sinuplasty can help you, call your nearest office or schedule an appointment online.
Balloon Sinuplasty Q & A
What is balloon sinuplasty?
Balloon sinuplasty is a procedure performed in the office under local anesthesia to treat chronic sinusitis. To perform this minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Kaufman uses an endoscope that he inserts through your nostril. With this technique, you’ll have less pain and a quick recovery.
When you have a balloon sinuplasty, you can return to your normal activities in two days, and you’ll only need pain medication for a day. By comparison, recovery from traditional sinus surgery takes five days and requires pain meds for three days.
What causes chronic sinusitis?
Your sinuses are located in air-filled cavities inside facial bones. The inside of each sinus is lined with membranes that produce mucus. The mucus drains through a small opening and flows into your nasal passageways.
Chronic sinusitis begins when allergies or a viral infection cause inflammation in the mucus membranes. The swollen membranes block the opening, so mucus gets trapped inside the sinus and becomes infected. That’s when you have acute sinusitis.
When acute sinusitis lasts longer than 12 weeks, it becomes chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is caused by inflammation that continues after the acute infection clears up, creating a condition that’s notoriously hard to treat.
What symptoms develop when I have chronic sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis causes:
- Nasal congestion and stuffiness
- Runny nose
- Facial congestion
- Pressure and pain around your sinuses
- Thick, discolored nasal discharge
- Loss of your sense of smell
- Congestion headache
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Dental pain
- Bad breath
Dr. Kaufman may recommend balloon sinuplasty when these symptoms, and your sinusitis, persist despite medication.
How is balloon sinuplasty performed? Dr. Kaufman gives you a local anesthetic, then gently inserts the endoscopic device through your nostril.
The endoscope is equipped with lighting and a high-definition video camera, giving Dr. Kaufman an excellent view of the tissues inside your nose. The device holds a medical-grade balloon.
After Dr. Kaufman positions the scope in the opening of your blocked sinus, he inflates the balloon for a short time. The pressure of the balloon expands and restructures the shape of the opening.
The sinus stays open even after the balloon is gone, which restores the normal flow of mucus and prevents sinusitis.
If you suffer from chronic congestion and sinus pain, call South Coast Ear, Nose and Throat or schedule an appointment online to learn if you’re a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty.
