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18 ARCHBOLD
MEDICAL CENTER
WHEN SINUSES
become infected,
medications are usual the first line of
defense. One usually reaches for nose
drops, saline washes, steroid sprays,
antibiotics and some OTC sinus medicine
for fast relief. These medications will help
to reduce swelling in the sinuses and
prevent further complications.
In the event that these medications
do not help, you might develop more
chronic problems. Months and even
years of headaches, pain and misery
can follow if not properly identified and
treated. Also, uncontrolled infections can
travel to other sensitive areas near the
sinuses, such as the eyes and the brain.
Sinus surgery is often recommended
when aggressive use of medication fails
to relieve sinus misery.
According to Archbold otolaryngologist
Lorraine Williams, MD, MPH, if sinuses don’t
drain properly, pus and other secretions
can build up, causing sinus infections.
“Air flow and mucus drainage need to
move freely through the sinuses, or they
can become trapped or cause a vacuum
resulting in pain, pressure and infec-
tions.” Dr. Williams said. “The inability of
sinuses to drain or freely allow airflow
can cause pressure and pain. The goal
of surgery is to reduce blockages and
improve airflow and mucus drainage so
that the complex pathways between the
sinuses and the nose work better.”
Sinus surgery helps by:
•
Enlarging the natural openings of the
sinus.
•
Correcting anatomical problems.
•
Removing growths called polyps or
tumors.
A new way, in one day
Sinus surgery has improved a lot over the
years. Surgery can now be performed as
an outpatient with very little pain and
scarring instead of the previous painful
recovery period with an overnight stay.
One of the newer surgical approaches
that offer patients tremendous benefits
can also be performed in the physician’s
office rather than in an outpatient surgi-
cal suite or hospital.
“There are several minimally invasive
sinus surgery options, and the surgical
treatment we use depends on the spe-
cific needs of each patient,” Dr. Williams
said.
“One of the new treatments is balloon
catheter sinuplasty that is performed
under local anesthetic in our office. The
minimally invasive technique uses a soft,
flexible lighted wire that is threaded
through the nose to reach the sinuses.
A small balloon attached to the wire is
then gradually inflated to gently widen
and reshape the natural opening of the
sinus, providing relief and immediate res-
toration of air in the nose. The infected
sinus may also be irrigated clear of pus,
providing immediate relief.”
Balloon catheter sinuplasty in the
office is often an option for patients who
need immediate relief from a severe
acute sinusitis that has been recurrent
or patients with chronic sinus disease
whose passages need to be opened. It is
also a good option for patients who can-
not tolerate a general anesthetic. While
recovery times vary for each individual,
Dr. Williams noted that most patients
may be able to return to normal activi-
ties including flying and traveling within
a day or two. “We have been performing
the balloon sinuplasty technique long
enough that we know it is very effective
at relieving the symptoms with minimal
pain,” she said.
Depending on the sinus location, the
Breathe
easier
Providing relief.
Lorraine Williams, MD,
offers in-office balloon sinuplasty—a
minimally invasive sinus surgery
performed in her office that is very
effective at relieving chronic sinusitis
symptoms.
A LESS PAINFUL, QUICKER-RECOVERY APPROACH TO SINUS TROUBLE