Dallas City Wire

Courtney Leslie, a physician assistant at Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, said that balloon sinuplasty is a less invasive, in-office procedure without nasal packing, offering quicker recovery for sinusitis relief. This statement was made on Instagram on November 27.

"Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is a procedure that's done in a hospital-based setting," said Leslie, according to Instagram. "You have tiny cutting instruments inside of your nose and your sinuses, and generally you leave the procedure with packing or gauze inside of your nose. Balloon sinuplasty came out as a different approach, finding that we can treat patients earlier with something that's less invasive. There's no packing or gauze, and they have better outcomes and a quicker recovery, and we can do it safely in the office."

According to the post, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia to treat chronic sinusitis. It involves using an endoscope inserted through the nostrils to visualize and remove obstructive sinus tissues, such as nasal polyps or scar tissue, to improve sinus drainage. This procedure typically requires a hospital setting and has a longer recovery period due to tissue removal and postoperative care.

PubMed reports that patients undergoing balloon sinuplasty often experience a faster and less bothersome recovery period, with many returning to work the next day. In contrast, FESS patients may require a longer recovery due to the invasiveness of the procedure, including tissue removal and the use of nasal packing or gauze, which can cause discomfort and extend healing time.

A study published in the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy found that balloon sinuplasty is as effective as traditional FESS in treating chronic rhinosinusitis in appropriately selected patients. The study also noted that balloon sinuplasty patients experienced less postoperative pain, required fewer antibiotics, and had a quicker return to normal activities compared to those who underwent FESS.

According to Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, Leslie is a physician assistant specializing in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas A&M University and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Her previous experience includes urgent care and emergency medicine, and she is currently welcoming new patients at Dallas Breathe Free.

Dallas Breathe Free is an ENT clinic in Dallas, Texas, specializing in sinus and allergy treatments. The practice offers services like balloon sinuplasty and allergy testing to address chronic nasal obstruction and related symptoms. It serves a region where environmental factors such as pollen and dust frequently exacerbate sinus conditions, providing both surgical and non-surgical options for relief.