Sinus puncture vs. balloon sinuplasty - what are the differences
Kinga Dziwisz (MPharm)
What is sinus puncture? What is a balloon sinuplasty? What is the purpose of these procedures? How can they help with sinus conditions?
Sinus puncture
Sinus puncture is an operation performed in a laryngological surgery. The goal of this procedure is to remove pus that has accumulated in the sinuses. We puncture the maxillary, frontal and sphenoidal sinuses. The ethmoid sinuses are not punctured.
What does the sinus puncture process look like?
In the case of jaw sinus puncture procedures the operation starts with a local anesthetic. Next, the surgeon punctures the sinus wall in the lower nasal tract with a needle. Afterwards a saline solution is injected, to wash out pus. The washed out pus running through a nose or throat can be removed.
In the case of a frontal sinus puncture, firstly, the doctor gives a general anesthetic. In cases of a sphenoidal sinus puncture, it is performed with a special cannula which facilitates the flow of discharge.
Balloon sinuplasty
This is a modern treatment for sinus blockage. During the procedure, a specialist catheter with a resistant balloon is used. The goal of this operation is to remove accumulated discharge from the sinuses.
What does the balloon sinuplasty process look like?
The operation is performed without anesthetic. The patient stays in a recumbent position and the doctor inserts the catheter with a balloon into the nostrils. In the next stage, a balloon is filled with a liquid of predetermined pressure. The balloon inflates and unblocks the sinuses. The accumulated discharge is removed easily. The procedure is quick and does not require hospitalisation. Usually, soon after a balloon sinuplasty the patient can breathe freely without pain.
Sinus puncture
Sinus puncture is an operation performed in a laryngological surgery. The goal of this procedure is to remove pus that has accumulated in the sinuses. We puncture the maxillary, frontal and sphenoidal sinuses. The ethmoid sinuses are not punctured.
What does the sinus puncture process look like?
In the case of jaw sinus puncture procedures the operation starts with a local anesthetic. Next, the surgeon punctures the sinus wall in the lower nasal tract with a needle. Afterwards a saline solution is injected, to wash out pus. The washed out pus running through a nose or throat can be removed.
In the case of a frontal sinus puncture, firstly, the doctor gives a general anesthetic. In cases of a sphenoidal sinus puncture, it is performed with a special cannula which facilitates the flow of discharge.
Balloon sinuplasty
This is a modern treatment for sinus blockage. During the procedure, a specialist catheter with a resistant balloon is used. The goal of this operation is to remove accumulated discharge from the sinuses.
What does the balloon sinuplasty process look like?
The operation is performed without anesthetic. The patient stays in a recumbent position and the doctor inserts the catheter with a balloon into the nostrils. In the next stage, a balloon is filled with a liquid of predetermined pressure. The balloon inflates and unblocks the sinuses. The accumulated discharge is removed easily. The procedure is quick and does not require hospitalisation. Usually, soon after a balloon sinuplasty the patient can breathe freely without pain.
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