What is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Sinusitis refers to swelling and inflammation in your nose and sinuses. Sinusitis is considered acute if it lasts only a few days to weeks, and chronic if it carries on for more than 3 months. Both acute and chronic sinusitis can give you a stuffy or congested nose, pressure and swelling over your face, and loss of smell and taste. 

Since sinus infections can cause you to feel miserable, you may be wondering what you can do to get some relief. Many cases of sinusitis can be treated with medication alone. But surgery may be an option if your symptoms do not respond to medications. 

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can relieve sinusitis. It was first approved by the FDA in 2005 and has since become a popular alternative to traditional sinus surgery for some people. In fact, a recent study found that the number of balloon sinus procedures performed in the U.S. increased by 59% from 2011 to 2014. 

How does the procedure work?

Otolaryngologists — or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors — perform balloon sinuplasty. During the procedure, they first insert a guidance wire, or “guidewire,” through your nostril to access the blocked sinus cavity opening. This guidewire helps to guide a tube attached to a tiny balloon into the sinus opening. 

They inflate the balloon for a few seconds at a time, creating tiny fractures in the bones surrounding the sinus opening. This helps to widen and open up the sinus passages. The balloon is then deflated and removed, and a saline solution is used to irrigate the cavity and flush out any debris. The guidewire is then removed. 

There are many advantages to balloon sinuplasty, one being that it helps to improve symptoms without any cutting or removal of bone and tissue. Another reason that balloon sinuplasty is becoming so popular is that your surgeon can do it as an outpatient procedure in their office.

The procedure itself can be as short as half an hour. It may only require local anesthesia, meaning you will not be put to sleep. You may even be able to drive yourself home afterward.   

Who can get balloon sinuplasty? 

Balloon sinuplasty may be an option for people with chronic sinusitis that does not respond to other treatments. It can also be helpful for people with recurrent acute sinusitis. 

However, it is not an option if you have: 

• Structural problems like a deviated nasal septum

• Fungal sinusitis (sinus inflammation due to fungal infection)

• Nasal polyps

• No visible sinus inflammation on a CT scan and no symptoms other than headache

How long does relief from balloon sinuplasty last? 

Long-term follow-up has shown that balloon sinuplasty is safe and effective. Some people may notice a difference in their breathing almost immediately. One study found that 85% of people had improved symptoms 2 years after surgery.  

In another study, most people had a significant improvement in sinus symptoms 1 year after balloon sinuplasty. They also needed less antibiotics and had fewer office visits for sinus problems.

Is balloon sinuplasty safe?

In general, balloon sinuplasty is considered safer than traditional sinus surgery, which requires cutting or removal of tissue and bone. Balloon sinuplasty causes less pain, swelling, and bleeding. There is also a lower risk of infection.

Possible side effects of a balloon sinuplasty include:

• Minor nose bleeds for about 1 week following the procedure

• Pain and swelling in the sinuses and surrounding facial areas, such as the cheeks and eyes 

In very rare cases, more serious complications may occur due to damage to the bones and other structures that separate the sinuses from the brain. These include:

• Sinus infections

• Eye swelling and infection

• Cerebrospinal fluid leak 

How long does it take to recover?

While it varies from person to person, the recovery time for balloon sinuplasty is typically fast. Most people can return to work and their normal activities within a few days. 

Here are some things that you can do while recovering: 

• Avoid strenuous activity for about 1 week.  

• Do not blow your nose at all for 24 hours.

• Sleep with your head elevated to decrease nasal congestion. 

• Go to any scheduled follow-up appointment with your provider.

What medication will I be taking?

Your surgeon will recommend or prescribe medications to help you recover. Be sure to let them know what medications you’re already taking. After-procedure medications may include:

• An over-the-counter pain reliever for discomfort

• A nasal decongestant spray to relieve any congestion for the first 2 to 3 days

• Antibiotics, if needed

It’s a good idea to flush your sinuses with a saline rinse for a few days after the procedure. This will help to minimize the bleeding and also relieve any dryness or congestion. 

How much does it cost?

Balloon sinuplasty costs much less than traditional sinus surgery. This is why many insurance companies now offer partial or full coverage of this procedure. 

The American Academy of Otolaryngology has issued a statement that recommends balloon sinuplasty be covered as a standard service (as opposed to an elective surgery that may not be medically necessary).  

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Merin Kuruvilla, MD

Merin Kuruvilla, MD, is a board-certified allergist/immunologist at Emory University in Atlanta. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications in the field.

Edited by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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