North Richmond Today

Chronic sinus sufferers may be ideal candidates for sinus surgery that leads to long-term relief from these disruptive symptoms.

While most sinus infections clear up naturally, or with help from antibiotics and over-the-counter medications, chronic sinusitis may require more in-depth treatment like sinus surgery, according to WebMD. One of the most popular sinus surgeries available is balloon sinuplasty, which has only been around since 2005. 

"It is a fantastic new technique because, what studies have shown is that it's as effective as traditional functional endoscopic sinus surgery," Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told North Richmond Today. "So I can perform a procedure for a patient and improve their recurrent sinusitis by using a minimally invasive technique, instead of taking them to the operating room under general anesthesia and performing a sinus bone and membrane destruction procedure."

Dr. John Ditto | Richmond Breathe Free

Balloon sinuplasty is a procedure where a doctor inserts a balloon into the sinuses and inflates it to clear the passageways, allowing the sinuses to drain better. 

"Here, I’m just opening things up, just allowing them to breathe. And now if, if it doesn't work as well, you can always go back and do the other (surgery), to some extent," Ditto explained.

The goal of any sinus surgery is to relieve a patient's symptoms and cut down on the number of sinus infections a patient gets. Along with improving the symptoms and number of sinus infections, sinus surgery can also benefit patients by allowing better breathing, reducing chronic congestion and restoring the patient's sense of smell or taste.

Another type of popular sinus surgery is an endoscopy. During an endoscopy, a doctor inserts thin, flexible instruments — called an endoscopes — into the nose. One instrument has a camera that can be used to send images back to a screen; another has instruments to remove polyps, scar tissue or other obstructions causing nasal blockages. Endoscopy is generally done with a local anesthetic, so the patient remains awake, and recovery time is relatively quick. 

If you are experiencing chronic sinus issues, take the Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz to see if the doctor may be able to help.