Balloon sinuplasty: our first year.
BACKGROUND
Balloon sinuplasty is a new technology which has only recently been introduced in the UK. We review the current literature, and we present our first year's results for the technique together with a description of indications, outcomes and problems.


METHODS
Retrospective case note review of 27 consecutive patients undergoing sinuplasty alone in the first year in which this procedure was performed. The main outcome measures used were subjective improvement and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) score.


RESULTS
Dilatation was successful in 98 per cent of sinuses in which it was attempted; however, subjective improvement was noted in only 62 per cent of patients thus treated.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that balloon sinuplasty has a place in routine rhinology practice but that its applications are limited, and that its additional costs must be considered. We present advantages and possible limitations of the technique.
Hopkins
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ENT Department, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. ClaireHopkins@yahoo.com
Noon
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Bray
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Roberts
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D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D006113:United Kingdom