Balloon Sinuplasty vs. Traditional Sinus Surgery in Irving and Fort Worth, TX

Persistent sinus issues such as nasal congestion, breathing difficulties, postnasal drip, and sinus pain and pressure can be frustrating. If left untreated and unmanaged, they can impact day-to-day productivity, sleep quality, and daily comfort.

If medications don’t seem to be making a difference, your ear, nose, and throat doctor in Texas may explore other treatment options, including sinus surgery.

What Is Sinus Surgery?

Sinus surgery is an ENT procedure that can address certain cases of chronic sinusitis, remove nasal polyps, and manage other persistent ENT and sinus problems when medications and other forms of treatment are not effective.

Our ENT clinics in Irving, Fort Worth, and Forney, TX, offer ENT evaluations to assess your symptoms and determine if sinus surgery may be an appropriate treatment option based on clinical findings, symptom severity, and potential underlying causes.

When your ENT doctor starts exploring sinus surgery as a treatment option, you will know of two common types: balloon sinuplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

What Is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive ENT procedure that may treat and address appropriate cases of chronic sinusitis. Balloon sinuplasty may be recommended for some patients seeking minimally invasive sinus treatments in Irving, Fort Worth, or Forney whose symptoms do not respond well to medications and other forms of treatment. A consultation with your ENT care provider can help determine if you are an appropriate candidate.

The procedure uses a small balloon catheter inserted into the affected sinus cavity to potentially widen blocked sinus passages and may help improve sinus drainage.

What happens during the procedure?

During the balloon sinuplasty procedure, your doctor injects local anesthesia into the tissues of the nose to numb the area for the procedure. Then, they will insert a small and flexible balloon catheter into the affected sinus cavity through the nose. Once in place, the balloon is gently inflated to help widen blocked sinus passages. In some patients, this may improve mucus drainage and airflow. Then, the balloon is deflated and removed.

What happens after the procedure?

After the procedure, you will be asked to stay in the hospital or the doctor’s office until you are comfortable enough to leave and go home. Your doctor might also suggest that you have a responsible adult to take you to and from your appointment.

During your pre-procedure consultation, your ENT doctor will give you detailed instructions to aid in healing and recovery. These instructions and tips may include:

✔️Use nasal packing if necessary

✔️Avoid blowing your nose for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure

✔️Rinse your nose with a saline nasal spray

✔️Elevate your head during sleep to help with post-procedure congestion

✔️Avoid strenuous activities for about a week after the procedure

✔️Follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor your healing and recovery

Recovery timelines and healing experiences vary per patient, depending on individual health factors. Like any other medical procedure, there may be potential side effects, including congestion, swelling in the treatment area, and slightly bloody nasal discharge.

What Is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is a common type of sinus surgery that may be considered as a treatment option for certain cases of chronic sinusitis and the removal of nasal polyps. If your ENT doctor has exhausted other treatment options, they may help determine if you are an appropriate candidate for FESS.

FESS allows ENT surgeons to operate on the sinuses through the nostrils, without making cuts or incisions in the treatment area.

What happens during the procedure?

During an FESS procedure, your ENT doctor gives you general anesthesia so you are asleep during the entire procedure. Then, they will inject local anesthesia into the nasal area to numb it for the procedure.

The physician will then insert an instrument called a nasal endoscope, which has a camera on one end, into the sinus cavity via the nostril. Then, they will use specialized instruments to remove nasal polyps, bone, or diseased tissue that may be contributing to persistent blockages.

What happens after the procedure?

After the procedure, you will stay in the hospital or the doctor’s office until you wake up and feel comfortable enough to leave and go home. Your doctor might also advise that you have someone take you to and from your appointment for safety.

During your pre-procedure consultation, your doctor will walk you through detailed instructions for post-procedure healing and recovery, which may include:

✔️Avoid blowing your nose for at least seven days after the procedure

✔️Sneeze with your mouth open

✔️Rinse your nose with a saline nasal spray

✔️Avoid strenuous activities as advised by your ENT doctor

✔️Follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor your healing and recovery

Recovery timelines and healing experiences vary per patient. Like any medical procedure, FESS carries potential risks and complications, which may include bleeding, stuffiness, and discomfort in the nasal area.

Commonly Asked Questions About Sinus Surgery in Texas

What is chronic sinusitis?

Chronic sinusitis is a long-term irritation, swelling, and inflammation of the tissues lining the sinuses, which can last for 12 weeks or longer. The sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces located behind the nose, cheekbones, and forehead. Naturally, they produce mucus and humidify the air we breathe. However, sometimes, they can become irritated and swollen, which traps mucus and prevents drainage.

Common symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:

• Stuffy nose with thick yellow or green nasal discharge
• Postnasal drip, or mucus dripping down the back of the throat
• Pain and pressure, particularly around the nose, eyes, cheeks, and forehead
• Ear pain
• Toothache
• Cough
• Loss of taste or smell
• Chronic bad breath (halitosis) or a bad taste in the mouth

Which type of sinus surgery in Irving, Fort Worth, and Forney, TX, is right for me?

Both balloon sinuplasty and FESS are widely used treatment options that may be appropriate for patients whose symptoms don’t respond to medications and other forms of treatment.

Patients looking for sinus surgery in Irving, Fort Worth, or Forney, TX, may be evaluated by an ENT specialist to assess their condition and determine which type of sinus surgery may be most appropriate depending on clinical findings, symptom severity, potential underlying causes, and other individual health factors.

Generally, balloon sinuplasty may be considered for certain patients with chronic sinusitis, depending on their sinus anatomy and the underlying cause of the blockage. FESS may be recommended for patients with structural issues such as nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or more complex sinus diseases.

Is sinus surgery worth it?

Persistent and chronic sinus issues are far from life-threatening. However, if left untreated, they can affect productivity, sleep quality, and daily comfort. Consulting with your ENT doctor in Texas can help assess if your condition will benefit from sinus surgery.

Sinus Surgery Options in Texas

Dallas Breathe Free is an ENT care provider with locations in Irving, Fort Worth, and Forney, TX. Patients can learn more about our clinics, specialties, and services by visiting and exploring our website.