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Balonoplasty, or sinus ballooning, is a modern method of sinus treatment. Balloon surgery allows for painless opening of the sinuses. However, patients often associate the treatment with a painful puncture or taking antibiotics for many months. This means that many patients do not seek help from an ENT specialist. Check what is sinus ballooning.

Balloonoplasty , i.e.ballooning of the sinuses(also known as ballooning, ballooning) is a minimally invasive, fast, safe and effective method of treating sinusitis. Sick sinuses are a widespread and often neglected problem. - Sinusitis most often occurs as a complication of an upper respiratory tract infection - explains Michał Michalik, MD, PhD. - Viruses (so-called rhinoviruses, coronaviruses or influenza viruses of various types) contribute to the development of the disease, but sinus conditions can also be allergic. About half of the cases of inflammation develop as a result of an allergic reaction. Other factors contributing to the development of the disease include tooth abscesses and frequent bacterial and fungal infections.

Balonoplasty, or ballooning of the sinuses

Modern ENT technology has long abandoned the drastic methods of sinus surgery. The treatment can be adapted to the individual needs of the patient, saving him pain and a long recovery. Currently, most of the procedures are performed using endoscopic techniques that are patient-friendly, less strenuous and much less painful. The most modern technique of sinus surgery isballoon surgery XprESS LOProfile .

Poland is the second, after Great Britain, country in Europe that can offer this method of treatment to its patients. - XprESS LOProfile is a modernized method of the previously known ballooning - explains Dr. Michalik. - Gives more lasting therapeutic effects than classic ballooning. Thanks to minimal interference in the structures of the nose, mucosa and sinuses, it enables the patient to quickly return to daily duties. It is also valuable that this method can also be used in children over 5 years of age.

Balloon surgery (ballooning of the sinuses) XprESS LOProfile - before the procedure

The interview from which the doctor learns about the diseases is very importantcoexisting family he alth burdens and ailments of the patient. The presence of allergies, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, polyps, but also gastric problems is important when qualifying the patient for the procedure (absorption disorders, allergies or food intolerances are associated with sinus diseases). An endoscopic examination is also performed, i.e. inserting a special tube with a camera through the nose.

On the monitor, the doctor can see where in the sinuses there are structural abnormalities or disease outbreaks. The study shows what is the cause of the disease - nasal septum deviation, which hinders proper sinus ventilation, turbinate hypertrophy, polyps. "Most he alth problems affecting the sinuses are related to their inadequate ventilation," explains Dr. Michalik. - The worse our nose works, the worse the sinuses are ventilated. Any obstacle that prevents the free flow of air through the sinuses causes the secretion to accumulate in them. Without access to oxygen, various pathological microorganisms begin to develop. Another test is rhinometry, i.e. the assessment of nasal patency. The key examination for the assessment of the condition of the sinuses is computed tomography, which, however, will not replace the previously mentioned ones.

Worth knowing

Classic sinus balloon surgery is a procedure reimbursed by the National He alth Fund. XprESS, despite being a cheaper method - no. You have to pay about PLN 6.5 thousand for the procedure. PLN.

Balloon surgery (ballooning of the sinuses) XprESS LOProfile - what is it?

The XprESS LOProfile method consists in ballooning (catheterizing) the sinus openings. - Its advantage is low invasiveness - says Dr. Michalik - During the procedure, no tissues are removed, which is typical of other treatments. The best results are achieved with ballooning of the frontal sinuses, which are difficult to reach due to their structure.

The procedure is painless, but for better comfort, local anesthesia is performed in adults, while in children, for safety - deeper anesthesia. An endoscope ended with a camera is inserted through the nostril. A balloon catheter is then inserted. When the doctor reaches the blocked sinus opening, he fills the balloon with saline under high pressure (10 atmospheres). The expanded balloon compresses the sinuses and gives them their proper shape.

- The tissue from which the sinus openings are made can be compared to a soft pumice stone, the doctor explains. - If you squeeze it for 5-6 seconds, it deforms and remains unchanged after the balloon is removed. After opening the sinus, it can be rinsed out or appropriate medications can be introduced into it. After the procedure is completed, the patient must remain in the clinic foran hour so doctors can be sure that everything is fine. Facilitating air access to the sinus brings immediate relief. The procedure is bloodless and does not require the use of dressings inside the nose. XprESS LOProfile has one more advantage: even immediately after its implementation, you can fly by plane, which is not possible with operations performed using classical methods. You should report for the first check-up one week after the procedure, for the second one - in a month.

The effect of the treatment is finally assessed after three months so that the sinuses can regenerate. Then, endoscopic examination, rhinometry and computed tomography are performed again.

Important

We get sick often

Every third Pole has had acute sinusitis at least once in his life, and every fifth suffers from chronic infection. Experts estimate that 7 out of 10 headache cases that patients consider to be migraine headaches are in fact a symptom of sick sinuses.

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