Medical therapy versus sinus surgery by using balloon sinus dilation technology: A prospective multicenter study.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Rhinosinusitis Treatment

Background:

• Previous studies show balloon sinus dilation (BSD) is safe and effective for paranasal sinuses.
• Limited data exists comparing BSD to continued medical management (MM) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare outcomes of BSD surgery versus MM in CRS patients who failed prior medical therapy.
• Evaluate the efficacy of BSD instruments in treating CRS.

Main Methods:

• Adult CRS patients with failed MM (antibiotics, saline, corticosteroids) were enrolled.
• Participants self-selected either BSD surgery (office or OR) or continued MM.
• Primary endpoint: change in Chronic Sinusitis Survey score at 24 weeks; secondary: RSDI and SNOT-20 scores.

Main Results:

• 198 patients enrolled (146 BSD, 52 MM); 72% of BSD procedures were office-based.
• BSD achieved a 97.6% success rate in dilating targeted sinuses.
• BSD group showed significantly greater improvement in Chronic Sinusitis Survey, RSDI, and SNOT-20 scores compared to MM (p < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions:

• Sinus surgery using BSD instruments significantly improved patient quality of life versus ongoing MM.
• These benefits were largely achieved through office-based procedures under local anesthesia.