Balloon sinuplasty is less invasive and more easily tolerated than functional endoscopic sinus surgery. | Павел Сорокин/Pexels
Balloon sinuplasty is less invasive and more easily tolerated than functional endoscopic sinus surgery. | Павел Сорокин/Pexels
• A new report finds that the market for sinus dilation devices is expected to grow by almost 3 billion dollars between 2021 and 2030.
• Those figures represent a compound annual growth rate of 10.8% from 2022 to 2030.
• Sinus dilation devices are used in balloon sinuplasty, which is quick and comfortable when compared to older sinus surgeries.
Dr. Franklyn Gergits of Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center said balloon sinuplasty is a quick, painless, minimally invasive procedure, especially compared to older sinus surgeries, and it helps return the sinuses to their normal function.
"The nice thing about the balloon sinuplasty is that it's a very conservative approach," Gergits told NE Valley Times. "We're not doing any cutting or tissue removal from the nasal cavity. At the time of the procedure, the balloon itself is a very small, thin probe. With the aid of our endoscope, I can see inside the nasal cavity and accurately place that balloon into the narrow sinus openings. We have different tools in our office, like image guidance, to assist us in locating and treating the right spot. Think of that as a Google Maps for your sinus cavities."
A report by Globe Newswire stated that the sinus dilation device market was valued $1.9 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to $4.78 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%.
The report said that chronic sinusitis is extremely common, and doctors are increasingly turning to balloon sinuplasty procedures to treat it, citing its minimally invasive and highly effective nature.
Procedures that use a balloon to dilate the sinuses are safe and effective and present a great treatment option for patients who have struggled to manage their sinusitis with medication. The report predicted that medical companies such as Stryker will continue their research and development efforts to improve their sinus dilation devices, which will in turn generate even more demand for the innovative devices.
Chronic sinusitis is common in both adults and children and occurs when the lining of the sinuses is inflamed for three months or longer, according to Mayo Clinic. This inflammation can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, including congestion, discharge, postnasal drainage, facial pain and pressure, headaches and earaches, a sore throat and fatigue. People with asthma or allergies have an increased risk of developing chronic sinusitis. People who have been experiencing sinusitis symptoms for more than 10 days are recommended to see a doctor.
A balloon sinuplasty procedure takes only 10 to 15 minutes, and patients typically recover within one to two days. Most patients can resume their normal activities in that time period, although they may experience some swelling for up to a week, according to Eisemann Plastic Surgery Center.
During the procedure, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician will insert a tiny balloon into the sinus and then inflate the balloon until the sinus reaches its optimal size. This process allows blockage to drain from the sinus passages, which are then flushed with a saline solution to remove any remaining bacteria or mucus.
"Once we get that small probe into the sinus cavity, it's inflated and deflated, and then it's removed," Gergits said. "There's no tissue removal. If we can do the procedure in a very conservative fashion to maximize the outcome, we can make patients feel much better without having a trip to the operating room or the surgery center. There's no packing inside; there's no downtime. That is significant (for our patients). Patients who have balloon sinuplasty get back to their regular routines within 24 to 48 hours. Patients definitely love that. It really is a game-changer when they're dealing with these chronic sinus troubles."
For more information about sinus and allergy symptoms, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.