MERDIAN, Miss. — The winter months typically bring colder temperatures, holiday celebrations — and flu season. But Mississippi physicians are turning to a unique, attention-gaining procedure that alleviates the stuffiness of flu by using a ‘balloon’ to clear sinuses.

Dr. Eric Bridges has performed several hundred balloon sinus dilations in Meridian, Mississippi, over the last four years. Ten years ago, Bridges and other medical professionals were cautious. How could a balloon have the same effectiveness as the traditional surgery for sinus relief?

The procedure — also referred to as balloon sinuplasty — uses a ‘balloon’ at the end of a flexible rod to inflate nasal passageways, allowing sinuses to drain better. The patient stays awake for the in-office procedure, which takes less than an hour, and normally needs only a day — or less — for recovery. 

In contrast, the traditional surgery, known as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), is done in an operating room under general anesthesia — meaning the patient isn’t awake. Recovery can take up to two weeks and the patient must perform daily sinus rinses for four to six weeks. 

“I was initially pretty skeptical about doing this versus traditional sinus surgery,” Bridges said. “But guys kept doing research and publishing articles (showing) it is as effective — equally effective — as traditional sinus surgery. And I agree with that.”

According to Bridges, the procedure still has not gained much momentum locally. However, there are a large number of physicians across the country in states like Texas, Illinois, Kentucky and Connecticut who are offering the procedure to inquiring patients.

“I have had frequent sinus headaches for the last several years,” patient Marie Melancon said. “And I had major endoscopic sinus surgery back in the ‘80s.”

Melancon took 10 days to recover from the FESS, compared to the half-day she spent recovering from the balloon procedure she had in July.

“There’s a major difference,” she said.

Melancon said she felt only a slight pressure during the 40-to-45-minute procedure. She added that anxiety before the procedure, seeing the rod that would be used and the noise of the bones ‘cracking’ to expand bothered her more.

“But I had no swelling or bruising,” Melancon said, adding that both appeared shortly after the FESS surgery. “The noise was worse than the ‘pain.'”

“I had never heard of it before (Bridges) told me about it and I thought I might give it a try,” she said. “I had the (procedure) in the morning, went home, rested and I was back at work the next day.”

Bridges said that sinus channels range from 1 to 2 millimeters and the balloon expands to 6 millimeters. The balloon attaches to the end of a rod, going only 2 inches up the nose. The rod has a light and a camera that allows Bridges to see the balloon at work and track the progress.

“The bone fractures up and it sort of stays there,” Bridges said, comparing the concept to a similar technique used for arteries. “But, unlike what the heart guys do, we don’t have to add (support to uphold the bone) after.”

In traditional sinus surgery, the same rod is used to remove tissue. Both the surgery and the procedure try to widen channels to allow better drainage for the sinuses. 

Bridges said the procedure works best for those prone to sinus infections or thick mucus — who need to use antibiotics to treat it. Some nasal channels simply won’t accommodate the surgery, as well as certain types of sinus cavity infections. The dilation does not help with allergies or allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever.

One of the only difficulties regarding the dilation procedure Bridges has experienced is dealing with insurance coverage. While many insurance providers cover the procedure, including Medicare, other providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield do not cover the $4,000 dilation, he said.

“There’s not a lot of understanding yet about this in the area,” Bridges said, adding that he and Dr. Cody Aull, at the area’s Anderson’s Regional Health System, aren’t ‘swamped’ with patients asking for the procedure. 

“Patients don’t ask for it… but maybe that will change,” Bridges said. 

Downard writes for the Meridian, Mississippi Star.