Member News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 19, 2009

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Offers Balloon Sinuplasty

Specialists at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet are using a clinically proven, minimally invasive technology for treating chronic sinus inflammation known as Balloon Sinuplasty. The technique involves the use of a small catheter and balloon to quickly open and expand blocked sinuses, resulting in significantly less pain and recovery time than with traditional sinus surgery.

Sinusitis is one of the most chronic health problems in the U.S., afflicting more than 37 million Americans each year. Patients suffer recurring headaches, congestion, fatigue and other symptoms, which significantly impacts their physical, functional and emotional quality of life.

Until recently, sinusitis patients were limited to two treatment options: medical therapy with antibiotics and topical nasal steroids, or conventional sinus surgery known as functional endoscopic sinus surgery. "Medical therapy can help a majority of patients, but a good percentage of patients don’t respond to antibiotics and other medications," explains Sung Chung, M.D., ear, nose and throat specialist on staff at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. "For these patients, sinus surgery is the best option."

However, conventional sinus surgery involves the removal of bone and tissue to open up blocked sinus passageways, which means an often uncomfortable and lengthy recovery. That’s why thousands of patients in the United States elect to live with painful sinus conditions instead of undergoing surgery—until now.

Balloon Sinuplasty uses a small, flexible catheter that is placed through a nostril into the blocked sinus passageway. The balloon is inflated to gently restructure and open the sinus passageway, restoring normal sinus drainage and function. Sinuplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure. Patients are put to sleep with general anesthesia.

Dr. Chung is one of the first doctors in the area to use the new technology. "Balloon Sinuplasty represents a real advance in sinus care because it allows a less traumatic and invasive method of opening up the sinuses," he said. "That means faster recovery times and less discomfort afterwards. In fact, many patients are able to return to normal activities within 24 hours and have had significant improvement in their symptoms."

Long-time sinus sufferer Cathy Scanlon of Shorewood says her sinuses are "wide open and 100-percent better" since undergoing sinuplasty in January. For months before the procedure, though, Scanlon unsuccessfully battled non-stop sinus infections with antibiotics. "The headaches were severe, and I was always coughing up mucous," she recalls. The non-stop infections also compounded Scanlon's asthma. "I like to travel, but I stayed home last fall. I was just too tired and worn out." Eventually, her family doctor referred her to Dr. Chung, who recommended sinuplasty.

"I had regular sinus surgery in 1993 elsewhere in the Chicagoland area, and it was very painful. My nose was heavily packed; I had a lot of sinus pressure and it was hard to breathe. I was a little leery that this procedure might be like that," she admits.

But Scanlon's fears were put to rest when she awoke following the sinuplasty. She had considerably less pain, no pressure and could breathe through her nose immediately. "It was probably one of the easiest surgeries I’ve ever had," she said.

Randy Reiss of New Lenox agrees. Dr. Chung performed sinuplasty on Reiss in the summer of 2008. That same day, Reiss was outside playing wiffle ball with his granddaughter. "I’ve had conventional sinus surgery twice in the past," he explains. "The first time, I came home with two long tubes in my nose about the diameter of a pencil. I had to leave them in for a whole week. That was miserable. The second surgery was a little better but I couldn't breathe well for a week."

In Reiss’s case, the third time was the charm. Immediately after the sinuplasty procedure, Reiss could breathe easy and experienced very little discomfort.

Nearly a year later, the man who used to endure five or six sinus infections every year, had just one, a few weeks ago when a head cold made the rounds in his family.

"I’ve lived with sinus problems for a long time, since I was a kid," he adds. "My sinuses are about 90% better than they were and hopefully will only get better. I’d definitely recommend it."

Dr. Chung and his partners at ENT Surgical Consultants (Drs. Ankit Patel, Scott DiVenere, Rajeev Mehta, Michael Gartlan, and Thomas Kron) are able to perform this less invasive surgery. Appointments can be made at 815-725-1191.

To find out if you are a candidate, attend our free educational seminar on June 11 at 6:00 p.m. at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Auditorium.

For more information about Balloon Sinuplasty at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, please call visit our web-site www.provena.org/stjoes/sinus.