Richmond Leader

• A new report finds that the market for sinus dilation devices is expected to grow by almost 3 billion dollars between 2021 and 2030.
• That figure represents a compound annual growth rate of 10.8% from 2022 to 2030.
• Sinus dilation devices are used in balloon sinuplasty, which is quick and comfortable when compared to older sinus surgeries.

Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said one advantage of balloon sinuplasty is that the procedure is performed in-office under local anesthetic, as opposed to traditional sinus surgeries, which had to be done in an operating room under general anesthesia. Another benefit of balloon sinuplasty is that it reduces risks and allows the doctor to communicate more with the patient during the procedure.

"All the procedures that I perform, I used to perform in the operating room under general anesthesia," he told the Richmond Leader. "However, all the procedures now that I perform, I do them under local anesthetic. I use no sedation. So you reduce that risk right away. In [terms of] patient safety, I'm in dialogue with the patient throughout the whole procedure. So if they tell me they're uncomfortable, I can adjust their analgesic level by injecting more local anesthetic. And then that allows the procedure to proceed in a pain-free manner. I like it because I can dialogue with the patient, and they can tell me about their comfort level and I can adjust things as a procedure proceeds."

A report published by Globe Newswire stated that the sinus dilation device market was valued at $1.9 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to $4.78 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The report said that chronic sinusitis is extremely common, and doctors are increasingly turning to balloon sinuplasty procedures to treat it, citing its minimally invasive and highly effective nature.

Procedures that use a balloon to dilate the sinuses are safe and effective and present a great treatment option for patients who have struggled to manage their sinusitis with medication. The report predicted that medical companies such as Stryker will continue their research and development efforts to improve their sinus dilation devices, which will, in turn, generate even more demand for the innovative devices.

Chronic sinusitis is common in both adults and children and occurs when the lining of the sinuses is inflamed for three months or longer, according to Mayo Clinic. This inflammation can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, including congestion, discharge, postnasal drainage, facial pain and pressure, headaches and earaches, a sore throat and fatigue. People with asthma or allergies have an increased risk of developing chronic sinusitis. People who have been experiencing sinusitis symptoms for more than ten days are recommended to see a doctor.

A balloon sinuplasty procedure takes only 10 to 15 minutes, and patients typically recover within one to two 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 Eisemann Plastic Surgery Center.

During the procedure, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician will insert a tiny balloon into the sinus and then inflate the balloon until the sinus reaches its optimal size. This process allows blockage to drain from the sinus passages, which are then flushed with a saline solution to remove any remaining bacteria or mucus.

For more information about sinus and allergy symptoms, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.