Nose Conditions

Balloon Sinus Dilation (BSD) Procedure for Chronic Sinusitis

Patients suffering from chronic sinusitis experience swelling in the passages around the nasal cavities (sinuses). When other treatments are unsuccessful, your MMG otolaryngologist may recommend Balloon Sinus Dilation.

BSD is an advanced surgical procedure used to treat sinusitis and other related problems using minimally invasive techniques. During BSD, a thin endoscope is inserted into the nose. A small balloon is then inflated to widen blocked passageways. This allows for proper drainage of sinus fluid.

Patients benefit from less bleeding and shorter recovery time with this procedure than other methods.

Deviated Nasal Septum

When the thin wall (nasal septum) between your nasal passages is displaced to one side, this is known as a deviated septum. For many people with this condition, this displacement causes one nasal passage to be smaller than the other. A blockage from a deviated septum can reduce airflow and cause difficulty breathing when this condition is severe.

What are the causes of a deviated septum?

A deviated septum may be present at birth. It can occur during fetal development or caused by an injury during birth. Those involved in contact sports should take precautions to avoid a deviated septum caused by an injury.

What are the symptoms of a deviated septum?

Many individuals never realize they have a deviated septum. However, the following symptoms may mean a medical intervention is necessary:

• Preference for sleeping on one side or difficulty sleeping
• Noisy breathing during sleep
• Facial pain
• Nosebleeds
• Obstruction of one or both nostrils
• Recurring sinus infections
• Dry mouth due to chronic mouth breathing
• Pressure in the nasal passages

How will my doctor diagnose a deviated septum?

A deviated septum is easy to diagnose. Your doctor will use a bright light and possibly an instrument known as a nasal speculum to spread open your nostrils. A long tube-shaped scope with a bright light at the tip may also help your doctor see farther into the nose. Your doctor may also look at your nasal tissues before and after administering a decongestant spray.

How will my MMG ENT treat my deviated septum?

First, your doctor may try managing your symptoms that affect the tissues lining the nose. He or she may prescribe:

• Decongestants
• Antihistamines
• Nasal steroid sprays

If symptoms persist, you may consider a septoplasty surgery to correct your deviated septum. During this procedure, your nasal septum is repositioned and straightened. Your surgeon may need to cut and remove parts of your septum before repositioning.

Endoscopic Turbinate Reduction

There are three turbinates on each side of the nose. Their job is to clean and humidify the air as it moves through your nose to your lungs.

Why would my MMG ENT recommend endoscopic turbinate reduction?

For patients with turbinate hypertrophy, the turbinates are too large and can cause nasal obstruction. Endoscopic turbinate reduction surgery should correct the problem by reducing the turbinate size while preserving their natural function. This should improve nasal breathing. It may also reduce nasal drainage and post nasal drip.

What should I expect from turbinate reduction surgery?

Your doctor may perform your surgery in conjunction with a surgical septoplasty. Your doctor will use an endoscope, a thin tube with a light at the end, during your surgery. This will improve visualization and provide a magnified view during surgery.

Your doctor makes an incision in the mucous membrane of the turbinate. He or she will then carefully remove the underlying bone of the turbinate. A microdebrider is used to thin the tissue around the turbinate. Alternately, your doctor may cauterize the tissue with radiofrequency or electrical current (cautery or radiofrequency surgery). Your doctor may also prescribe a saline spray solution to help with dryness and healing.

LATERA® Absorbable Nasal Implant Procedure

The LATERA® Absorbable Nasal Implant supports upper and lower lateral cartilage in your nose. Your doctor can place it inside the lateral (side) wall of the nose. It will help to support the cartilage, reduce nasal airway obstruction symptoms, and make breathing easier. The implant material absorbs in approximately 18 months.

Who benefits from the LATERA® Absorbable Nasal Implant procedure?

If you experience any of the following symptoms and they cannot be controlled by less invasive methods, your MMG ENT may recommend this procedure to you:

• Nasal blockage or obstruction
• Nasal congestion or stuffiness
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble breathing through your nose
• Unable to get enough air through your nose during exertion or exercise
• Having to pull on your face to allow easier breathing

What can I expect from the LATERA® Absorbable Nasal Implant procedure?

The LATERA® Absorbable Nasal Implant procedure only takes a few minutes to perform. The procedure is much less invasive than traditional surgical methods such as septoplasty or turbinate reduction surgery. Many patients experience immediate recovery and a dramatic difference in breathing.

Nasal Fracture

You may have a nasal fracture (broken nose) if an injury to the nose is accompanied by a combination of the following:

• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Change in shape of the nose

How will my MMG ENT treat my nasal fracture?

Some nasal fractures heal on their own. If the shape of the nose is unaffected, for example, medical attention may be unnecessary. In cases with larger fractures, your doctor will realign the nose.

To perform this procedure, your MMG ENT will inject a local anesthetic. He or she then inserts a nasal speculum through the nostrils. Other speciality instruments are used to put the nose and cartilage back into place.

Your doctor may apply external and internal splints to help keep your nose in place while it heals.

In severe cases with bad or multiple breaks, surgery may be needed. If you have waited more than 14 days to seek medical attention, manual alignment may also be impossible. Surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis

How will my doctor diagnose a nasal fracture?

Unless a physical exam is too painful, imaging tests are often unnecessary to diagnose a broken nose. However, if this is the case, a CT scan can be used. Your doctor will usually look inside the nose for signs of broken bones and press on the sides of the nose to confirm a fracture.

Nasal & Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Endoscopic sinus surgery is a surgical procedure your MMG ENT may use to remove blockages in the sinuses. Sinus blockages can cause sinusitis. When you have sinusitis, sinus mucous membranes swell and become blocked. This causes drainage, pain, and impaired breathing.

Why would my MMG ENT recommend endoscopic sinus surgery?

Endoscopic sinus surgery can improve the drainage of your sinuses and airflow through the nose. After surgery, you should hope to expect the following:

• A reduction of sinus infections
• Less severe sinus infections
• Improved sinusitis symptoms
• Improved breathing through the nose
• Improved sense of smell

What should I expect during endoscopic sinus surgery?

Endoscopic sinus surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. Your MMG ENT inserts a thin, lighted camera rod (endoscope), to easily view and magnify the sinus tissues. He or she then uses various instruments to remove the causes of sinus blockage such as scar tissue and nasal polyps.

Your doctor may also straighten the septum and reduce the size of the turbinates (small structures inside the nose that cleanse and humidify air) if needed.

You should be able to go home that day since no incision is needed for this surgery.