Release Date: 09/01/2014
More Americans suffer from sinusitis than diabetes, asthma or coronary
heart disease. Sinusitis affects 37 million Americans each year, making
it one of the most common health problems.
John Tarro, MD, an
otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist or ENT) at Memorial
Hospital of Rhode Island, has a new treatment option that may help
patients diagnosed with chronic sinusitis or have multiple sinus
infections per year that are not helped with medications.
Balloon
Sinuplasty™ is a breakthrough procedure, available at Memorial
Hospital. The procedure relieves the pain and pressure associated with
chronic sinusitis.
Balloon Sinuplasty safely and effectively
treats chronic sinusitis patients who are not responding well to
medications such as antibiotics, nasal steroids, or over-the-counter
drugs, and are seeking relief from uncomfortable and painful sinusitis
symptoms.
"The procedure is less invasive than traditional
sinus surgery so it allows most patients to return to normal activities
quickly,” Tarro said. “Recovery time varies with each patient, but most
patients return to work and normal activity within two days."
Similar
to the way angioplasty uses balloons to open blocked arteries, Balloon
Sinuplasty uses a system of FDA-cleared, catheter-based instruments to
open blocked sinuses.
During the procedure, a specially-designed
catheter is inserted into the patient’s nose to reach the inflamed
sinus cavity. A small balloon is slowly inflated, widening and
restructuring the walls of the sinus passage, draining mucus from the
blocked sinus and restoring normal sinus drainage with no cutting and
minimal bleeding. This approach also preserves the natural structure of
the sinuses.
Gina Washington of Providence, RI was diagnosed
with chronic sinusitis in May 2014. She has suffered from headaches,
intranasal congestion and edema which did not respond to medical
management. Gina underwent the Balloon Sinuplasty surgical procedure in
July 2014 and she recovered shortly after surgery. A longtime sinus
and headache sufferer, Gina is now pain free.
Mary Lightfoot of
Scituate, RI, was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis 3 1/2 years ago. She
has suffered from headaches, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, nausea and
reduced sense of taste. Mary had the Balloon Sinuplasty surgical
procedure in November of 2012 and she recovered shortly after surgery. A
lifelong sinusitis sufferer, Mary, is now sinus-pain free.
Most
insurance companies and Medicare provide coverage for Balloon
Sinuplasty. To learn more or make an appointment, call Dr. Tarro at
(401) 728-0140.