iBalloon Program: What is Balloon Surgery?
Some chronic sinusitis sufferers try a variety of medical treatments and therapy, and still find no improvement to their condition. These individuals may be candidates for the Sinuplasty Center of Excellence iBalloon treatment. iBalloon is our unique, comprehensive Balloon Sinuplasty program, which consists of three parts: in-office diagnostic testing, state-of-the-art pre-treatment planning, and a minimally-invasive procedure that can be performed at an outpatient surgery center or in our office.
Diagnostic Testing for iBalloon Treatment
To begin, we use our hospital-grade CT scanner to provide high-level pictures of your sinuses. Pioneering technology is not a new concept for our clinic. In early 2002, we were one of the first private practice ENT groups in the country to install a hospital-grade CT scanner within their clinic. Our scanner allows patients a timelier and thus less costly option for obtaining high-level CT scans of their sinuses, while in our office setting.
Stephanie Merrill, our CT certified radiology technologist, has extensive hospital-based experience and will guide you through your study with her ever-present smile.
Preparing for iBalloon Treatment
Sinuplasty Center of Excellence founder, Dr. Ray Weiss, developed and uses a computer-based technique for evaluating sinus cavities and the complex passageways leading to them. Initially designed for teaching and research purposes, Dr. Weiss uses this method to assess the internal structure of the sinuses to ensure you are a candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty and simultaneously map out our approach for treatment.
Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure
Balloon Sinuplasty is an FDA-approved technology that uses a small, flexible, sinus balloon catheter to open up blocked sinus passageways, restoring normal drainage. When the sinus balloon is inflated, it gently restructures and widens the walls of the passageway while maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining. Unlike past, more invasive treatments, there is no cutting, stitching, packing and intense swelling. In fact, Balloon Sinuplasty technology usually results in significant symptom relief and allows patients to return to normal daily activities often in 24 hours. Since its introduction in 2005, Balloon Sinuplasty technology has emerged as a new complement to existing approaches and has been utilized in over 150,000 patients and 500,000 sinuses. Each day approximately 250 Balloon Sinuplasty surgeries take place across the U.S.
Unique Settings for iBalloon Program
Procedures are performed at the Sinuplasty Center of Excellence, either in a traditional operating room setting or the new in-office setting. At present, the majority of Balloon Sinuplasty procedures are performed in our outpatient surgery center. The site of the second Balloon Sinuplasty surgery case performed in the United States (April 2005) and ongoing clinical research, Cedar Lake Surgery Center has remained a leader in minimally invasive sinus surgery. Continued access to the latest technology along with a friendly, well-trained staff has been the trademarks of this ambulatory surgery center and some of the core reasons why patients continue to choose this setting for their procedures.
In-office minimally invasive sinus surgery is an alternative option for patients with non-complex disease who want to avoid general anesthesia. Commercially available in early 2011, in-office sinus intervention procedures are now being performed safely and comfortably at our newly completed Ocean Springs facility, in a specially designed room for performance of this office-based sinus procedure. Installation of hospital grade high-definition camera and monitoring systems demonstrate our level of commitment in creating a unique, patient friendly setting that rivals a traditional operating room in technology but maintains the eases of an office.
