Dr. Joseph Capo | Capo Nose and Sinus Center
Dr. Joseph Capo | Capo Nose and Sinus Center
- Symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore throat, bad breath, or fatigue.
- Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population, and is responsible for 4.1 million doctor visits per year.
- After a balloon sinuplasty procedure, many people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two.
"Patients often experience significant improvement in their sinus and nasal symptoms after balloon sinuplasty," Dr. Capo told West NY News. "This includes relief from issues like nasal congestion, postnasal drip, and sinus pressure. Symptoms tend to improve quite dramatically once the sinuses are dilated and can drain more efficiently."
Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure to clear blocked sinuses, according to Healthline. This surgery is relatively new, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. Balloon sinuplasty is most often recommended for people with chronic sinusitis after attempts at other forms of treatment are ineffective. Balloon sinuplasty is fairly straightforward, and reported complications are minimal.
Balloon sinuplasty is becoming more popular because it has lower risks and a quicker recovery time than traditional sinus surgery, as noted by GoodRX. The procedure is performed in the office, is less expensive compared to the procedures conducted in a hospital setting, and is typically covered by insurance.
A balloon sinuplasty procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes, and patients typically recover within 1-2 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 Medium. By contrast, functional endoscopic sinus surgery procedures take 1.5–2 hours, and patients might need up to four weeks to fully recover from surgery, during which time they should avoid strenuous activities such as exercising.
A study reports that 91% of patients would choose to have a balloon procedure again, compared to only 49% of functional endoscopic sinus surgery patients.
Dr. Capo is the founder of Capo Nose and Sinus Center, according to the clinic's website. Having concluded a five-year residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, his primary emphasis was on treating individuals with sinus and nasal disorders. He has performed more than 1000 sinus procedures and also carries out septoplasty and Latera nasal valve implant procedures directly in the office.
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