Balloon sinuplasty

Need to know

• What happens during a sinuplasty? icon plus

  Treatment is usually carried out while you are asleep under a general anaesthetic. Your HCA UK surgeon will guide a very thin wire (catheter) attached to a tiny balloon into your nostrils and up to the area that is blocked.
  
  The balloon will then be inflated to high pressure, causing widening of the natural nostril pathways. This will help to relieve the symptoms relating to your sinus condition.

• How to prepare icon plus

  If you are having a general anaesthetic you'll be advised not to eat or drink in the hours leading up to the procedure. You should be allowed to go home after the treatment and an overnight stay in hospital is usually not required.

• After your procedure icon plus

  Once the procedure has finished, you will be moved into the recovery area where you will wake up. There shouldn't be any discomfort, although you may feel that your nose is slightly congested.
  
  You will be able to eat and drink soon after you wake up, and you should then be able to go home on the same day.
  
  As with any form of nose or sinus surgery, it is important to minimise the amount of heavy lifting and/or straining in the first few days after the operation, otherwise there will be an increased likelihood of a nose bleed.