﻿ Balloon Sinuplasty from EdinburghENT

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Balloon Sinuplasty

People describe a wide range of symptoms as sinus problems including blocked nose, facial pain or pressure, poor sense of smell and catarrh. The underlying problem in most people is inflammation of the lining of the nose and sinuses (rhino sinusitis). Often these symptoms can be improved by simple medical treatments which may include salt water nasal douching, nasal steroid sprays or drops, antihistamines (when an allergy is suspected) and antibiotics. Despite these treatments many people still have significant symptoms and sinus surgery of various kinds combined with ongoing medical treatment has been shown to be helpful. This surgery involves the removal of inflamed tissue and widening of the sinus drainage pathways. The standard technique for this in modern practice involves endoscopic instruments.

Balloon Sinuplasty is a technique in which balloons are used endoscopically to gently widen the natural sinus drainage pathways rather than removing tissue. This helps restore the natural function of the sinuses and carries a lower surgical risk than conventional endoscopic sinus surgery offering a faster recovery and a lower chance of requiring additional operations.

Balloon Sinuplasty may not be suitable for all sinus sufferers but for appropriate people represents a low risk day case procedure of considerable potential benefit.

Mr Williams is the only surgeon in Edinburgh who has been trained in both basic and advanced applications of balloon sinuplasty. If you wish to explore this further please ask your GP to refer you to Mr Williams at the Spire Murrayfield Hospital.