Balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to treat chronic (long-term) sinusitis that has not improved with other treatments. During balloon sinuplasty, a small balloon is inserted through your nose to widen the openings of your sinuses.

Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private balloon sinuplasty treatment with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.

This page explains what balloon sinuplasty is, why you may need balloon sinuplasty, and what to expect during your treatment and recovery.

Your sinuses are air-filled spaces in your skull that sit behind your cheekbones, forehead, and either side of your nose. They are connected to the inside of your nose to form a network of nasal passages. Your sinuses produce mucus that helps lubricate the inside of your nose and traps bacteria and pollutants.

Normally, mucus drains from your sinuses into your nose and throat, but if you have sinusitis, your sinuses become inflamed and swollen, blocking the drainage of mucus. These blocked sinuses then lead to symptoms of sinusitis such as nasal congestion, facial pain and pressure.

Most sinusitis is acute sinusitis, where symptoms come on quickly and then improve either on their own or with medication. However, in some cases, sinusitis doesn’t get better or keeps coming back. This is known as chronic sinusitis and is defined as sinusitis that lasts for three months or more. Sinusitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection but can also occur when there is a blockage in the sinus opening.

Sinusitis is usually treated with medication. If your sinusitis doesn’t improve with medication or keeps coming back (recurrent sinusitis), your consultant may recommend surgery.

Symptoms of sinusitis may include:

• Pain, pressure, swelling or tenderness around your eyes, cheeks or forehead
• Nasal congestion (blocked nose)
• Runny nose  
• Cough 
• A reduced sense of smell or taste 
• Sore throat 
• Fever (high temperature) 
• Pain in your teeth 
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Bad breath (halitosis) 
• Snoring

The cost of a balloon sinuplasty will differ depending on which hospital you visit, which consultant you choose, and factors personal to you such as your reasons for having the operation. For a personalised quote, call our team of advisors.

If you are paying for your own treatment, we offer fixed-price packages so you will know ahead of time exactly what you’ll pay with no hidden fees to surprise you down the line.

You can pay in one go or take advantage of our flexible payment options and pay monthly for your treatment.

If you have private health insurance, a balloon sinuplasty may be covered by your policy. Speak to your insurer to find out.

Balloon sinuplasty isn’t suitable for everyone. Your consultant will decide if you are a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty based on your symptoms, age, general health and medical history. Balloon sinuplasty is usually performed on adults.

Balloon sinuplasty may be a good option for you if you:

• Have had three or more sinus infections in the past year 
• Have repeated sinus infections that do not improve with medication
• Have a deviated septum 
• Have facial pressure and/or pain 
• Have chronic nasal congestion 
• Have chronic bad breath 
• Have difficulty breathing through your nose
• Have post-nasal drip — mucus dripping down the back of your throat 
• Do not have nasal polyps or tumours

Balloon sinuplasty offers many benefits over traditional sinus surgery including:

• Safe and effective with a lower risk of complications 
• Minimally invasive: Balloon sinuplasty involves no incisions (cuts) or removal of tissue or bone resulting in less pain, bleeding, bruising, and swelling after surgery 
• No need for nasal packing and the associated discomfort after surgery 
• Faster recovery: You can expect to return to normal activities within 24 hours compared to around two weeks after conventional sinus surgery

Surgery to treat sinusitis is usually only recommended when medications such as nasal steroids, decongestants, antibiotics and antihistamines have not worked. The main alternative to balloon sinuplasty is a procedure called functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).

Your consultant will decide on the best type of surgery for you based on your symptoms, diagnosis, general health and expectations for treatment.

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon, a doctor specialising in performing operations on the ears, nose or throat.

Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, general health, medical history, and any treatments you have tried previously. They may ask you about your reasons for wanting to have balloon sinuplasty and what you hope to achieve from the treatment. They will perform a physical examination which may include checking your sinuses, nose and throat for any discharge, swelling, redness or tenderness. Your consultant may also order a CT scan which provides detailed images of your sinuses and allows them to examine your facial bones and decide whether a balloon sinuplasty is a suitable treatment for you.

Your first appointment is very important as it’s where you’ll meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care. They will take time to get to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have.

At Circle Health Group, we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your balloon sinuplasty treatment, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.

At the end of your appointment, your consultant will decide if balloon sinuplasty is an appropriate procedure for you based on your symptoms, general health, medical history and the results of your CT scan. They will explain the procedure to you including what happens during balloon sinuplasty, how to prepare for your surgery and what to expect during your recovery.

Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your balloon sinuplasty. Instructions on how to prepare will also be in your appointment letter.

If there’s anything you’re not sure about, or if you have any questions, please contact the hospital for advice.

You may need to stop taking certain medications such as blood thinners for a few days before your balloon sinuplasty. Your consultant will advise you on this.

If you smoke, you need to stop at least three weeks before your balloon sinuplasty and continue not to smoke for a month afterwards. Smoking can increase your risk of complications, delay wound healing, and slow down your recovery.

You won’t be able to eat or drink anything from midnight on the day of your surgery.

Before your surgery, you’ll need to sign a consent form to say that you agree to have the surgery and are aware of what it entails and the possible risks and complications of the procedure.

Balloon sinuplasty is normally performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be asleep during the procedure and won’t feel any pain.

Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your consultant will use a thin wire called a guide wire to insert a balloon catheter (a tube with a tiny balloon attached) into one of your nostrils. Once the catheter reaches your blocked sinus, the balloon is gently inflated to widen your sinus opening. Any pus and mucus is flushed out of your sinus with saline (salt water). The balloon is then deflated and removed leaving the sinus passageway open and restoring normal function and drainage.

A balloon sinuplasty procedure usually takes around one hour.

Recovering from any type of surgery is a different process for everyone and depends on factors such as your age, general health and the type of procedure you had. It’s important to listen to your body and take things at your own pace during your recovery.

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure and recovery is normally quick and straightforward. You can help your recovery to go more smoothly by being as well informed as possible about your surgery and recovery and following your consultant’s post-operative instructions carefully. Call the hospital if you have any questions or concerns.

After your surgery, you will be taken from the operating room to the recovery area where you will be monitored closely until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. You will then be moved to your room.

You may have some mild discomfort around your nose and feel congested (as if you have a slight cold) after the operation. Your healthcare team will give you pain medication if needed. You may also have some discoloured or bloody discharge from your nose for a few days after your balloon sinuplasty.

You can usually start eating and drinking as soon as you feel well enough after waking up from the anaesthetic.

To reduce the risk of nosebleeds, avoid strenuous exercise, straining, blowing your nose and heavy lifting for ten days after your surgery.

Your healthcare team will show you how to keep your nasal passages clean with saline rinses after your balloon sinuplasty. Saline rinses will help flush out any mucus, bacteria or debris after your procedure which will help reduce nasal congestion and reduce the risk of infection.

How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?

Balloon sinuplasty is normally performed as a day case meaning you’ll be able to go home the same day. In some cases, you may need to spend one night in hospital after your surgery.

Will I be able to drive home?

You will not be able to drive yourself home from the hospital after your balloon sinuplasty. Please arrange for someone to collect you, or we can organize a taxi if you prefer.

How soon can I go back to work?

When you can go back to work after your balloon sinuplasty depends on your individual recovery and the type of job you do. You may feel well enough to return to work as early as 24 to 48 hours after your procedure, or you may need to take a few days off work.

When can I drive? 

Don’t drive for at least 24 hours after having general anaesthesia as the effects may not have fully worn off and your concentration and reaction times may still be impaired. After the first 24 hours, you can drive when you can safely control your vehicle and perform an emergency stop.

When will I be back to normal?

You can expect to resume most normal daily activities around 24 to 48 hours after your balloon sinuplasty.

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive and generally very safe procedure, but as with any type of surgery, there is a small risk that complications can occur.

Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications of balloon sinuplasty before your procedure and answer any questions you may have to allow you to make an informed decision.

Possible complications of any type of surgery may include:

• Adverse reactions to the anaesthetic
• Bleeding 
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Wound infection
• Damage to nearby structures
• Chest infection

Potential complications of balloon sinuplasty may include:

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak: Your sinuses are very close to the base of your skull and brain and very rarely, damage to the base of your skull can occur causing fluid around your brain (CSF) to leak into your nose. This usually requires further surgery
• Eye injury: Damage to your eye or eye socket is rare but may result in bruising around your eye. Very rarely, severe complications such as eye swelling, double vision, and loss of sight can occur which may require further surgery
• Nerve damage resulting in facial numbness or numbness in your teeth 
• Changes to your sense of smell and taste which could be short-term or permanent
• Acute bacterial sinusitis: A sinus infection caused by bacteria

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about having a balloon sinuplasty, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Balloon sinuplasty - NIH 

Balloon Sinuplasty - Johns Hopkins Medicine 

Balloon sinuplasty - ENTUK  

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust