Dr. Cody Aull | West Palm Beach Breathe Free
Dr. Cody Aull | West Palm Beach Breathe Free
- 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 targeted for patients with mild to moderate symptoms. It can be used even for patients with severe sinus problems, depending on what it looks like once we evaluate it," Dr. Aull told South Palm Beach Today. "This procedure is out there for the huge number of people who are not receiving optimal treatment because they don't want to deal with the little nagging problem that they constantly have because they know it's going to be a giant hassle. But getting a balloon sinuplasty isn’t a giant hassle."
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. Aull earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Health Sciences/Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri, according to West Palm Beach Breathe Free's website. Following that, he finished his residency in otolaryngology and surgery, which included an ENT internship, at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Missouri. He has also served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Navy.
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