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When is surgery needed for sinus infection?
When antibiotics and other medical treatments fail to alleviate chronic sinusitis or multiple episodes of acute sinus infection. The otolaryngologist (ear specialist) will typically prescribe several weeks of medical therapy, which may include combinations of antibiotics, nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, antihistamines, and possibly oral steroids.
If appropriate medical therapy fails to resolve sinusitis, sinus surgery may be an excellent option.
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What is endoscopic sinus surgery?
Most sinus surgery can now be done with special small telescopes, called endoscopes. These endoscopes give the sinus surgeon a clear and magnified view to the inside of the nasal cavity and the sinuses. They allow the surgeon to precisely remove diseased tissue that is blocking the sinus openings, while the normal sinus tissue is left alone.
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What is a balloon catheter sinus dilation?
Balloon catheter sinus dilation is a technique used to open narrow sinus passages. It uses the same technology that cardiologists and vascular surgeons have been using for years. A very narrow balloon is passed through a narrow sinus tract. Once it is in the correct place, confirmed with the use of fluoroscopic (a type of X-ray) imaging, the balloon is inflated. As the balloon inflates, it enlarges. As it enlarges, it dilates the opening of the sinuses. For more information: http://www.acclarent.com/professional/balloon.html
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Do you perform balloon catheter sinus dilation?
Yes, we do. We agree with the American Rhinologic Society that balloon dilation has been shown to have a role in the management of sinus disease. We feel that the data, to date, indicates that balloon catheter sinus dilation is safe and effective at opening narrow sinuses. We do however believe that balloon dilation is a tool available to the operating surgeon, and not a procedure unto itself. Patients that receive this therapy may require concurrent conventional endoscopic sinus surgery. In addition, there are certain sinus cavities and disease states (nasal polyps) not amenable to this technology.
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Do you use lasers for your sinus surgery?
Yes, for certain applications. The use of lasers has been shown to be very effective for certain aspects of sinus surgery, including nose bleeds, tear duct surgery, and nasal congestion surgery (inferior turbinate surgery). Although lasers can be very useful there are downsides to their use, such as increased cost (which may not be covered by insurance), and prolonged operation time, which can have safety implications.
For more information: Levine, HL. Endonasal Laser Surgery: An Update. Otolaryngology Clinic North America 2006,39:493-501.