title: Feasibility of balloon dilatation in endoscopic sinus surgery simulator.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assess the feasibility of the use of a life-size model for ESS to perform balloon catheter dilatation of the paranasal sinus ostia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four validated sinus models were enrolled in this study. One experienced endoscopic surgeon performed all the dilatations of the paranasal sinus ostia. We used the Relieva Sinus Balloon Catheter System (Acclarent, Inc, Menlo Park, CA), and its described technique for fluoroscopic guided sinuplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four ostia were available. All sinuses were successfully catheterized and dilated. The total fluoroscopic time was 18 minutes and 8 seconds (mean, 45.3 seconds per sinus) and the total procedure time was 50 minutes and 56 seconds (mean, 2 minutes and 7 seconds per sinus).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was feasible to perform a successful dilatation of the 24 available sinus ostia of the models: 8 maxillary, frontal and sphenoid. No major technical difficulties were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This model could help surgeons in the training of sinus ostia balloon dilatation.
authors.affiliation: Sao Paulo ENT Center, Hospital Professor Edmundo Vasconcelos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stamm
authors.forename: Joao Flavio
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: Macos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lyra
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D004724:Endoscopy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic