Are you one of more than 37 million Americans suffering from sinusitis? This common condition restricts the sinuses from draining properly resulting in minor to severe discomfort ranging from headaches to sore throats to constant nasal congestion and facial pain-all because of the pressure. FDA-approved balloon sinuplasty can alleviate the problems, explains Jeffrey Raval, MD FACS, American-Board certified in ear, nose and throat, facial plastic surgery and head and neck surgery.

Dr. Raval regularly performs this procedure, considered to be one of the most revolutionary advances in the practice of ear, nose and throat medicine in the last 15 years. The half-hour surgery performed under general anesthesia is performed through the nostrils and is the least invasive of any type of nose surgery. Known as The Nose Guy among fellow surgeons in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Raval explains that balloon sinuplasty is based on the same principal as balloon angioplasty for the heart. A deflated balloon is guided on a wire catheter up through the nostrils to the source of the blockage and then is inflated just enough to clear the passage, allowing appropriate drainage to occur. Once accomplished, the balloon is deflated and removed.

In the process, the cartilage in the nose is actually spread apart with minimal pain because the bones in the sinus drain are small, soft and malleable. This procedure is an alternative to Function Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) in which passageways are enlarged through removal of bone and tissue. Instead, says Dr. Raval, balloon sinuplasty eliminates the need to pack the nose with gauze post-op which would be required to stop bleeding following a FESS. Another benefit of balloon sinuplasty is that other treatments can still be given so options are not limited if the patient has a more severe or progressive disease requiring further therapy.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the surgery as a viable solution to sinusitis and because the procedure requires no incisions, no bruising or swelling results. Patients can return to normal activity the next day. Now that’s a breath of fresh air. Consult Dr. Raval to find out if you are a good candidate for this procedure. Balloon sinuplasty may be covered by Medicare or other insurance providers.

Raval Facial Aesthetics is located at 250 Steele St. in Denver, CO. The phone number is 303.381-FACE (3223).

This entry was posted on Monday, August 18th, 2008 at 5:19 pm and is filed under Sinusitis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.