Endoscopic sinus surgery involves inserting a thin, lighted tube with a camera on the end into the nose so that your doctor can visually examine the area. Tiny surgical instruments are then inserted to remove the obstructive tissues. Endoscopic sinus surgery does not require any incision, as the whole procedure is performed through the nostrils.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the most common type of surgery for chronic sinusitis performed today. This minimally invasive procedure has significantly improved the results of sinus surgery. Advantages of FESS include a shorter recovery time, reduced risk of infection, decreased postoperative pain, and less scarring.
With traditional sinus surgery, the surgeon removes tissue and bone to make the sinus opening bigger to help clear blocked sinuses and restore proper sinus drainage. Also, recovery after a sinus surgery procedure often involves scarring and pain.
With a Balloon Sinuplasty procedure, the surgeon dilates the sinus openings which can clear up any infection and restore normal drainage. On average, the Balloon Sinuplasty procedure takes around an hour.
Other benefits include:
- No cutting or removal of tissue or bone like traditional sinus surgery
- Less bleeding
- Helps preserve healthy mucus membranes, nasal tissues, and structure
- Lower infection risk than with traditional sinus surgery
- 95% success rate
Choosing Balloon Sinuplasty over traditional sinus surgeries can save you both money and time. You will have minimal time off work, none of the costs associated with surgery in a hospital, no long recovery, and, best of all, Balloon Sinuplasty is covered by most insurances. In fact, in 2014, the American Academy of Otolaryngology issued a statement calling for all medical insurance companies to consider providing coverage for the cost of the Balloon Sinuplasty procedure.
However, some insurance companies continue to make it difficult to qualify for Balloon Sinuplasty. Several consider it to be an elective procedure that should not be covered.
To find out if your policy covers Balloon Sinuplasty, contact your insurance company. It is always a good idea to check with your insurance company to be sure you understand all of your plan's features.
Dr. Brian Lee is board-certified in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, American Rhinologic Society, and American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. As such, he has been specially trained in the anatomy, physiology, and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose, throat, neck, and head. Additionally, Dr. Lee has been voted as one of the Valley's "Top Doctors" by Phoenix Magazine in 2015 and 2016!
With his experience serving the Scottsdale and Phoenix communities, Dr. Lee has diagnosed and performed many successful procedures to treat these areas of the body, using the most up-to-date techniques—both surgical and non-surgical.
If you have any other questions about what Balloon Sinuplasty could do for you, feel free to schedule an appointment and we would be happy to discuss everything in more detail.