Balloon Sinuplasty™

What is Balloon Sinuplasty™?

It is a procedure using small flexible sinus balloon catheters to open up blocked sinus drainage pathways (http://www.balloonsinuplasty.com/).
It dilates the sinus opening by inflating the balloon (like coronary angioplasty for blocked heart vessels) and gently crushing the obstructing bony cells thus opening up the sinuses.

Will I require general anesthesia with Balloon Sinuplasty™?

Most patients have the procedure under general anaesthesia but it may be performed under local anaesthesia and sedation (“twilight anaesthesia”) in certain cases.

How long will I be in hospital for after Balloon sinuplasty™?

Most patients are able to have this done as day surgery.

Who performs Balloon sinuplasty™?

Otolaryngology (ENT) surgeons trained in Balloon Sinuplasty™ are able to perform the procedure for you. Prof Carney has undergone training to be able to perform this procedure safely for you.

Is Balloon Sinuplasty™ suitable for me?

The procedure is not suitable for all cases of chronic sinusitis and Prof Carney will assess you based on the endoscopy (telescope) findings in your nose and your CT scans to decide if Balloon Sinuplasty™ is suitable for you.

Please discuss with Prof Carney if Balloon Sinuplasty™ may be suitable for you.

Is Balloon Sinuplasty™ covered by private health insurance?

The device is currently not covered by private health funds, which means that patient’s have to pay for the device as an out of pocket cost.
We can liaise with the medical company supplying the device (Acclarent, Inc) to provide you with an estimate of the costs of the device.