BALLOON SINUPLASTY

TruDi Balloon Sinuplasty for Better Results

Sinus surgery has come a long way in the last 10 years with great advances made in treating chronic sinusitis. New technology allows surgeons such as Dr. Atkins to perform TruDi Balloon Sinuplasty (BSP), a procedure that promises less pain and downtime than other types of sinus surgery and improved outcomes for the patient. Even better, BSP can be performed in our office under local or IV anesthesia — no hospitalization required. Sinuplasy is covered by most major insurance plans. If you’ve tried every type of medication for your sinus condition and you still aren’t feeling better, it might be time to consider surgery.

Our success rate with TruiDi BSP has been very high over the years — with many satisfied patients — and just another example of our ongoing commitment to providing the very latest in technological advances and treatment for our patients.

What is Balloon Sinuplasty (BSP)?

TruDi Balloon Sinuplasty is a quick, easy minimally invasive procedure done right in our office for the treatment of chronic and recurrent sinus infections. It can be combined with other procedures such as turbinate reduction and septoplasty to improve nasal congestion.

TruDi Sinuplasty uses computerized guidance, sort of like Google maps for your sinuses to thread a small compressed balloon into blocked sinus passages. Once the balloon position is confirmed with TruDi, the balloon is inflated for a few seconds. The sinus passages are widened by the inflated balloon. The widened passages stay open over 90 percent of the time and allow for better sinus drainage and decreased symptoms. Since we are dilating and not removing tissue, there is minimal bleeding and a very quick recovery.

The TruDi Balloon Sinuplasty Advantage

TruDi is a real time 3D computer guided navigation system for your sinuses, sort of like Google maps for your sinuses, that allows Dr. Atkins to precisely position instruments in your sinuses. TruDi uses a computerized navigational system to track a wire that emits a radio signal. The radio signal is converted into a location on a 3D image of the patient’s CT scan. We can then track the wire in real time through the sinuses to get the balloon to the exact location it needs to be prior to dilation.

In the past, the surgeon used bright light that would shine through the patient’s face and sinuses to help guide positioning of the balloon. While this was effective, it wasn’t always accurate as the lighting properties could be misleading in directing us as to where to place the balloon. The result would be the balloon being dilated in the wrong area of the sinus cavity.

How Does TruDi Help Chronic Sinus Conditions?

BSP will help cut down on the number of infections you are having.

It will also help you breathe better.

TruDiTM Sinuplasty Advantages

Trudi is the greatest advance in Balloon Sinuplasty in the last ten years. Prior to Trudi we knew where the balloon was in your sinuses by a very bright light that would shine through your sinuses and through your face to help identify the balloon position. This worked great most of the time, but occasionally the light would appear to be in one position when it was in a slightly different position. This could lead to the balloon being dilated in the wrong location. Trudi changed all that. It was introduced in 2018, and it uses a computerized navigational system to track a wire that emits a radio signal. The radio signal is captured by Trudi's technology, and converted into a location on a 3D image of your CT scan. We can then track the wire in real time through your sinuses to get the balloon to the exact location it needs to be prior to dilation. I've used every sinus technology that's been developed over the last 13 years. Nothing has been such a huge advance as Trudi is. In my opinion it leads to more accurate balloon placement and better outcomes. There are many surgeons who aren't using Trudi, who will tell you that they don't need it. That's only because they've never tried it. I used to say that myself too. Watch the video to the left. Some of this is repeated, but there's some really cool images of Trudi in action.

Dr. Atkins Balloon Sinuplasty Timeline

Balloon Sinuplasty was developed in 2006, Dr. Atkins was one of the first doctors in the country trained on its use.
In 2007, Dr. Atkins began consulting for Entellus Medical, a sinus balloon manufacturer helped improve the technology.
Dr. Atkins was a part of major studies between 2007 and 2009 to determine whether doing Balloon Sinuplasty in the office was safe and effective.
In 2009, Dr. Atkins worked with insurance companies, in order to get Balloon Sinuplasty approved for office use.
In 2011, Balloon Sinuplasty was approved for office use. Dr. Atkins lectured around the country teaching doctors how to effectively perform the procedure.
In 2013, Dr. Atkins perfected a technique that allows the procedure to be done without any injection.
Dr. Atkins has been an author on 7 medical journal articles about Balloon Sinuplasty
2018, Dr. Atkins begins using TruDiTM on all of his cases.
Today, Atkins Expert Sinus Care is a training center for Johnson & Johnson and trains doctors from all of the USA how to perform the procedure.

How Balloon Sinuplasty Works

Balloon Sinuplasty is an easy, quick procedure done at our office under IV sedation for the treatment of chronic and recurrent sinus infections as well as sinus headaches and sinus pain. It can be combined with other procedures such as turbinate reduction and septoplasty to improve nasal congestion.

Balloon Sinuplasty uses a small compressed balloon that is threaded with computer guidance into blocked sinus passages. Once the balloon position is confirmed with TruDiTM the balloon is inflated for a few seconds. The sinus passages are widened by the inflated balloon. The widened passages stay open over 90% of the time and allow for better sinus drainage and decreased symptoms. Since we are dilating and not removing tissue there is minimal bleeding and a very quick recovery.

How Balloon Sinuplasty Helps

Balloon sinuplasty will help you cut down on the number of infections you are having. It will help you breathe better,

Facts About Balloon Sinuplasty

Our success rate with BSP has been very high over the years and we constantly invest in new technology like TruDi to improve our outcomes.

There are a lot of surgeons advertising balloon sinuplasty so there should not be a shortage of information about the procedure. Before you choose a sinus doctor you should click here to learn why Atkins Expert Sinus Care is a Center of Excellence in Balloon Sinuplasty and why we feel we are the best choice in South Texas if you are considering Balloon Sinuplasty.

Atkins Expert Sinus Care truly is a center of excellence in Balloon Sinuplasty (BSP).

This table highlights Dr. Atkins accomplishment in the field of BSP and contrasts the experience of most surgeons doing BSP.

DR. ATKINS

In 2006 one of the first surgeons trained on BSP
Has consulted for both major balloon companies

Developed one of the most popular balloons used today.

Published 9 medical articles and 1 book chapter on sinuplasty, office nasal & sinus surgery

Is a Training Education Center for Acclarent - the largest balloon company

Has lectured nationwide on BSP for years

Has done thousands of BSP cases

Has a Trudi navigation system for BSP in his office

Offers IV sedation for BSP by board certified anesthesiologists, to enhance comfort.

MOST OTHER SURGEONS

Just trained in last 2-3 years

Haven’t done any consulting regarding BSP

Haven’t developed any balloon technology

Have not written anything on BSP

Aren’t training centers
Haven’t given any lectures on BSP

Have done very few in comparison to Dr. Atkins and many have done less than 50

Don’t have Trudi in the office

Only offer local anesthesia

These accomplishments are the result of 13 years of dedication to his patients and this technology.

Although Dr. Atkins may advise surgery in your case, ultimately it's your decision. The key issue for you to think about is quality of life. Think about how sinus symptoms affect your day-to-day life. How many sick days to you take? How often are you tired? How do you feel about the amount of medication you are taking? It’s a very personal decision. If surgery becomes an option for you we will do everything we can to explain things so you feel comfortable making a decision.