Man holding nose in pain

Balloon Sinuplasty

Chronic sinusitis causes an uncomfortable infection of the sinuses. The inflammation lasts for months or even years without treatment.

Dr. Michael S. Cohen's offices on Long Island, NY, offer balloon sinuplasty, a conservative procedure that does not require incisions.

Learn how our offices serving Mount Sinai, NY, Great Neck, NY, and other locations can provide relief without open sinus surgery.

What Is Chronic Sinusitis?

Chronic sinusitis is characterized by persistent inflammation of the sinus lining. If the inflammation is severe, the sinus opening can become blocked, preventing mucus from draining normally. This mucus buildup can lead to further swelling, infection, and other painful symptoms.

Sinusitis can be caused by allergies, a deviated septum, nasal polyps, cystic fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux, environmental pollutants, or other conditions. To be classified as chronic, your sinusitis must persist for 12 weeks or longer.

Symptoms

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  • Nasal stuffiness
  • Postnasal drip
  • Sensation of pain or fullness in the sinuses
  • Tenderness around the nose, eyes, cheeks, and forehead
  • Sinus pressure or congestion
  • Sinus headaches
  • Tooth pain
  • Fatigue
  • Bad breath
  • Persistent feelings of discomfort or illness

How Common Is Sinusitis? Let's Look at the Numbers

According to 2016 numbers from the CDC, chronic sinusitis accounted for 4.1 million doctor visits that year.

About Balloon Sinuplasty A Non-Invasive Treatment for Sinusitis

Also known as balloon catheter dilation, a balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that helps unblock a person's sinuses.

The procedure involves the insertion of a balloon into the blocked sinus through the nostril. The balloon is then slowly inflated, opening up the sinus passage. When the balloon is deflated and removed, the sinus passageway is widened and cleared, relieving chronic sinusitis symptoms.

Balloon sinuplasty recovery time is much quicker than other sinus surgery options. When performed by a skilled ENT like Michael S. Cohen, MD, the risk of complications is low. He's performed the procedure many times at his multiple offices on Long Island, NY.

Illustration of balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005.

The Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure What Patients Can Expect

Once the balloon is in place, Dr. Cohen will inflate it to progressively expand the sinus drainage passageway.
Once the balloon is in place, Dr. Cohen will inflate it to progressively expand the sinus drainage passageway.

Use of Anesthetic

The balloon sinuplasty procedure can be performed using general anesthesia or just a local anesthetic. Dr. Cohen can discuss which may be ideal for your needs during the consultation process.

Inserting the Endoscope

After numbing the nose and nasal cavities, Dr. Cohen will gently insert a deflated balloon catheter into the inflamed sinus. Once the instrument is in place, he will inflate the balloon to progressively expand the sinus drainage passageway.

Clearing the Sinuses

Once the passageway has been opened, Dr. Cohen may spray saline into the inflamed sinus to flush out mucus and other buildup. Finally, he will deflate and remove the system, leaving your sinuses open and clear.

"Dr. Cohen spent time to understand and evaluate my condition. I had a prolonged sinus infection and was unable to smell which impacted my taste. The treatment he prescribed got the infection under control and enabled me to smell again. His staff followed up and I when I needed to get some specially blended medications to further deal with the infection in my sinuses they went out of there way to find a source my insurance company accepted." David T.

After Balloon Sinuplasty Recovery and Aftercare

Nearly all of our balloon sinuplasty patients report significantly improved quality of life and long-lasting relief from their sinus issues.
Nearly all of our balloon sinuplasty patients report significantly improved quality of life and long-lasting relief from their sinus issues.

What to Expect After Treatment

While recovery times can vary, most balloon sinuplasty patients can return to their normal activities and work within two days. Patients should not blow their noses for at least 24 hours after the procedure.

Common Side Effects

Temporary side effects are common in the first week after balloon sinuplasty and include:

  • Slight bloody discharge from the nose
  • Nasal swelling or tenderness
  • Nasal congestion
  • Fatigue and grogginess

Follow-Up and Results

Following the procedure, you will have a few follow-up visits at our ENT centers to monitor your healing progress. Nearly all of our balloon sinuplasty patients report significantly improved quality of life and long-lasting relief from their sinus issues.

Dr. Cohen

Michael S. Cohen, MD

Michael S. Cohen, MD is board-certified in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and Facial Plastic Surgery. He uses the latest tools and treatments to perform precise, comfortable, and effective care. Dr. Cohen is the Medical Director of the ProHealth Day-Op Ambulatory Surgical Center. He is also affiliated with: 

  • NYU - Winthrop University Hospital
  • Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Hospital
  • Northwell Health Huntington Hospital
  • Cohen’s Children’s Hospital

To speak with Dr. Cohen about your needs, request an appointment online or call us at (516) 704-7004.

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