Center for Advanced Subspecialty Care and Otolaryngolgy providing otolaryngology services for Plymouth County and surrounding southeastern Massachusetts.

>> Relieva Balloon Sinuplasty™ Overview including:

Facts About Sinusitis
The Role of the Sinuses
Treatment Options
Medical Therapy
Conventional Sinus Surgery
Relieva Balloon Sinuplasty™ Technology

Sinus Surgery is commonly performed in those patients who suffer from recurrent or chronic sinus disease (usually infections) who have not responded to medical treatment.

Currently almost all sinus surgery is performed using minimally invasive techniques commonly referred to as FESS which stands for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. FESS is performed with the patient asleep under general anesthesia using endoscopes (small rigid telescopes) to access the sinuses through the nose without the need for external incisions. Utilizing this approach all the sinuses can opened and the normal drainage pattern restored with minimal disruption of normal tissue. This minimalist approach shortens healing time and postoperative discomfort. In the last few years an even less invasive technique has been developed which utilizes a tough micro balloon placed across the sinus opening to dilate and open the sinus. Aside from infectious problems these techniques can also be used to remove some nasal tumors and repair blocked  tear ducts.




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Sinusitis affects 37 million people each year, making it one of the most common health problems in the U.S. It is more prevalent than arthritis and hypertension and has a greater impact on quality of life than diabetes or congestive heart failure. Symptoms may significantly affect people physically, functionally, and emotionally.1,2,3

1. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
2. National Academy on Aging Society.
3. Benniger, M. Otolarngoly Head Neck Surg 2003; 1295: 51-532.

• Sinusitis affects approximately 16% of the adult U.S. population.

• Sinusitis affects 21% of women and 16% of men each year.

• Chronic sinusitis (not including acute sinusitis) results annually in an estimated 18-22 million physician office visits.1

• Patients with chronic sinusitis have twice as many visits to primary care doctors and five times as many pharmacy fills as patients who do not have it.

• Direct healthcare expenditures due to sinusitis cost are well over $8 billion each year.*

• Total restricted activity days due to sinusitis are well over 73 million per year.

1. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.* Inflation Adjusted

To understand sinusitis, it is important to first learn about your sinuses and their role with your health.

• The sinuses are air spaces behind the bones of the upper face, between the eyes and behind the forehead, nose and cheeks. The sinuses are covered with a mucus layer and cells that contain little hairs on their surfaces called cilia. These help trap and push out bacteria and pollutants.

• Each sinus has an opening that allows mucous to drain – this drainage is essential to keeping your sinuses working well and you healthy. Anything that obstructs that flow may cause a buildup of mucus in the sinuses.

• Experts agree that healthy sinuses are a key to a good quality of life and that unhealthy sinuses may cause some unwanted complications

• Chronic sinusitis symptoms can make you miserable and impact your quality of life. In order to get relief, you need to make the right treatment decision with your doctor.