ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of balloon sinuplasty, and to summarize the main points of its use.@*METHOD@#Fifteeen patients (41 sinuses) were offered treatment with a new technique of balloon sinuplasty and followed for 3 to 6 months after surgery, including "balloon-only" patients and "hybrid" patients. Effectiveness was evaluated by endoscopic examination and computed tomographic (CT) scan. The effect of the operation was tested by the Lund-Mackay CT scores, and the patient's subjective symptoms were tested by the sino-nasal outcome test-20 (SNOT-20) to evaluate postoperative condition.@*RESULT@#Fifteeen patients (41 sinuses) were followed after surgery, including 9 "balloon-only" patients and 6 "hybrid" patients. No unanticipated adverse effects were noted in any patients. Endoscopic examination showed the sinus ostium was opening well, and CT scan showed the lesions apparently disappeared. Lund-Mackay CT scores showed that all patients postoperative scores were significantly improved from baseline at 3 months and 6 months. SNOT-20 showed that all patients postoperative scores were significantly improved from baseline at 3 months and 6 months. There was no significant difference between the "balloon-only" patients and "hybrid" patients. Operation curative effect is very confirmed, and subjective symptoms improved significantly.@*CONCLUSION@#Balloon sinuplasty can not only open nasal sinus effectively, but also preserve normal tissue structure and mucous membrane of nasal cavity and nasal sinus. Balloon sinuplasty appears to be a safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment option to relieve sinus ostial obstruction. Patients who received balloon catheter sinusotomy in endoscopic sinus surgery had significant improvement after surgery. Balloon sinuplasty can also be combined with the endoscopic sinus surgery to achieve a better therapeutic effect. It is worth of clinical promotion and application.