[1][2][3][4] Balloon technology was initially cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration[5][better source needed] in 2005 and is an endoscopic, catheter-based system for chronic sinusitis.
[6] Since the initial introduction of sinus dilation, a number of clinical studies have explored its safety, effectiveness, durability, and patient benefits.
Overall, data from these studies address key clinical questions, and affirm sinus dilation’s role as an alternative to traditional surgery.
The balloon technique is an alternative, less invasive treatment than the traditional functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).
This opens up an avenue of treatment for patients with sinus disease who otherwise would not be candidates for surgery secondary to age, health conditions, previous reactions to general anesthesia, or fear of "going under".