Pediatric Balloon Sinuplasty in Austin, TX
Dr. Slaughter and Dr. Salvador are among the few physicians in the country able to perform balloon sinuplasty for children. In the pediatric population, the sinuses are still developing, and the natural drainage pathways are different from those of adults. This makes it especially important to achieve lasting relief without surgery.
Dr. Slaughter and Dr. Salvador have extensive experience doing balloon sinuplasty in children to gently open these developing sinus outflow tracts. This minimally invasive technique requires no incisions or tissue removal, allowing the sinuses to continue growing and developing normally while providing significant symptom relief..
What is pediatric balloon sinuplasty?
Typically performed under IV sedation, this procedure allows our physicians to open up the natural outflow tracts of the sinuses. Infection and allergy make the outflow tracts swell much more easily in the pediatric population, as these openings are quite small as they undergo development.
If the outflow tracts are left obstructed, not only will antibiotics fail to resolve the infection, but the sinuses are likely to fail to develop normally. This can lead to a lifetime of sinus issues in adulthood.
Read Blog Post: IS YOUR CHILD EXPERIENCING SINUS PROBLEMS?
What is pediatric sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses. In the pediatric population, pediatric population, one of the most common symptoms is nighttime cough. Chronic sinusitis in kids is frequently misdiagnosed as allergies and asthma, as it can have similar symptoms.
Benefits of Pediatric Balloon Sinuplasty
Balloon sinuplasty allows our physicians to resolve chronic sinus infections that failed medical treatment without altering the developing anatomy. There is rapid recovery and minimal discomfort with a high long-term success rate.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From A Balloon Sinuplasty
Patients who continue to suffer following medical therapy from complaints such as:
- Chronic Cough
- Congestion
- Nasal blockage
- Post nasal drip
- Sinus Pressure and headache
- Allergies
- Recurring sinus infections
- Chronic sinus infection
- Nasal Polyps
Balloon sinuplasty patient review
Love!!!! My 10 year old had balloon sinuplasty Oct. 7…no sinus infections or congestion since…and this time of the year she should be so bad…she even said to me ” I can’t hear myself breath anymore”… THANK YOU!!!!! -Missy S.
Click here to read more reviews.
Balloon sinuplasty recovery
The procedure takes only a few minutes, and children are typically back to their normal activities within hours—without the need for recovery time or pain medication. There is no packing or foreign material placed in the nose, and unlike traditional sinus surgery, there is no bruising or swelling.
Balloon Sinuplasty Vs. Traditional Sinus Surgery
Balloon Sinuplasty is a non-surgical procedure with a very high success rate (97.5% in resolving the sinus issues both in the short term and long term in the pediatric patient). Because there is no incision or tissue removal, it will not alter or arrest the sinus outflow tract natural development. The successful correction of the sinusitis also helps the forming sinuses develop normally. This non-surgical technique means essentially no pain or recovery for your child. They are typically back to school and physical activity the next day.
To the contrary, sinus surgery is found to have the following disadvantages:
- Takes over an hour or more under general anesthesia at the hospital
- Surgery is more invasive and painful
- Longer recovery
- Sinus surgery has more risks
- More expensive
- Lower success rate
- Typical risks associated with general anesthesia
Traditional sinus surgery can affect the natural development of the sinus drainage pathways and carries risks of scarring, which may lead to the need for additional surgeries in the future.
Risks
Pediatric balloon sinuplasty is an extremely safe non-surgical procedure. As there are no incisions or tissue removal, parents can rest assured that this procedure has been done thousands of times with almost no reported complications.
Schedule a Consultation
If you believe your child may benefit from pediatric balloon sinuplasty, contact our office at 512.601.0303 to schedule a consultation.
