A new, minimally invasive technology for treating chronic sinus inflammation is now available at Trident Medical Center.   The Balloon Sinuplasty™ system uses a small catheter and balloon to quickly open and expand blocked sinuses.  

Sinusitis is one of the most common chronic health problems in the U.S., afflicting 37 million Americans each year. Patients suffer headaches, congestion, fatigue and other symptoms.  This condition significantly impacts an individual’s physical, functional, and emotional quality of life.

Until recently, sinusitis patients were limited to two treatment options:  medical therapy such as antibiotics and topical nasal steroids, or conventional sinus surgery such as Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS).  Medical therapy can help alleviate symptoms for 75-80% of patients but is inadequate for the rest.  For them, sinus surgery is often the best option. However, FESS is a conventional surgery that requires bone and tissue removal in order to open up blocked sinus passageways.  In lieu of a desired treatment, more than 600,000 patients elect to live with painful sinus conditions.

Now, there is an evolution in endoscopic sinus surgery with the Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology.  A small, flexible balloon catheter is placed through a nostril into the blocked sinus passageway.  The balloon is then inflated to gently restructure and open the sinus passageway, restoring normal sinus drainage and function. 

“The Balloon Sinuplasty devices are a true evolutionary advance in the ENT surgeon’s armamentarium for sinus care as it can work without removing any tissue or bone,” said Dr. Alex Stewart, an Otolaryngology physician at Trident Health System and Naval Health Clinic Charleston.  “That means potentially faster recovery times and less post-procedure discomfort.  When selectively performed alone, many patients feel ready to return to normal activities within 24-48 hours and have significant improvement in their symptoms.  Many patients often still require at least limited concurrent conventional FESS for certain sinus disease.”        

The Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology has undergone rigorous clinical validation and studies have shown treatment using the devices to be safe and effective in relieving symptoms of sinusitis.  The latest study, CLEAR, an international, multi-center evaluation reported 24-week results on 109 patients which demonstrated:

•    98%  observed open sinus rate   

•    0% device-related adverse event rate

•    Clinically and statistically significant patient symptomatic improvement

Sinusitis patients who are considering their options can learn more about the Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology by contacting Margaret Chappell at Trident Surgery Center, 797-4072 or by visiting www.balloonsinuplasty.com.

Trident Health System is an HCA hospital system comprised of three acute care hospitals – Trident Medical Center, Summerville Medical Center and Colleton Medical Center – as well as Moncks Corner Medical Center and diagnostic centers throughout Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester counties. For more information, please visit our website at www.tridenthealthsystem.com or call 843.797.7000.

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