HOUSTON – It's the time of year when many people start suffering from allergies and sinus problems. Some people on the extreme end of that suffering now have a new option for relief -- a procedure that involves inflating a balloon into your sinus cavity.
In a procedure that takes less than an hour, Dr. Michael Kaplan injects a balloon into the sinus cavity and inflates it, opening the passage to relieve chronic sinus pressure.
"The balloon goes into the sinus, dilates the sinus, pulled back over the guidewire, the guidewire is removed and nothing stays in the nose," Kaplan said. "The drainage track between the sinus and the nose opens up, no different than opening the narrow neck of an hour glass."
Jerry Matthews had this surgery one month ago. He said after 15 years of constant severe headaches, he hasn't had one since the procedure.
"I'm definitely a believer because (the) headaches hurt," Matthews said.
Kaplan said this has been covered by insurance in all of his 700 patients. About 95 percent of them successfully get relief.
"The vast majority of people tell me they're breathing better," Kaplan said. "They feel better. It resolves their headaches and their congestion."
During a procedure Friday, the patient had the balloon open both sinus cavities and the doctor removed a bone spur.
The typical recovery period is three to five days. Kaplan said some people can return to work the next day.