Panama City Reporter

• 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.

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can help address chronic sinusitis, a condition that can become more debilitating the longer it goes untreated. Many ear, nose, and throat doctors (ENTs) recommend balloon sinuplasty, including Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free.

"The recovery is very favorable for balloon sinuplasty patients compared to traditional sinus surgery. Most people will benefit from it to the point where they won't need a second procedure. Now there's always traditional sinus surgery, if you fail something minimally invasive. That's why it's called Smart sinus surgery because it's very tailored to a specific sinus or all the sinuses that you need, but a specific sinus in a specific problem."

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. Blair earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Miami, according to Gulf Coast Breathe Free's website. He subsequently obtained his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2010. Following this, he pursued further education, completing his internship and residency at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Michigan, with a specific focus on otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery. He achieved board certification in 2015.