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BALLOON SINUPLASTY SINUS DILATION

TruDi Balloon Sinuplasty for Better Patient Results

There are times when medications are no longer effective enough to make you feel better. In those cases surgery needs to be considered. In the past, sinus surgery was painful, bloody and removed a lot of tissue and bone. However, over the past decade, there have been great advances in surgical treatments available for chronic sinusitis. With newer technology, sinus surgery is much less invasive. Dr. Atkins has been an advocate of Balloon Sinus Surgery since it became available in 2006. 

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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.

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What is Balloon Sinuplasty (BSP)?

BSP is a quick, easy and minimally invasive procedure done right in 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.

 

BSP uses computerized guidance 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.

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The TruDi Balloon Sinuplasty Advantage

What sets TruDi apart other types of Balloon Sinuplasty is that TruDi uses a 3D computer guided navigation system for your sinuses, sort of like Google maps for your sinuses. This allows Dr. Atkins to precisely position instruments in your sinuses before dilating them. 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.

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Balloon Sinuplasty with TruDi will help cut down on the number of infections you are having. It will also help you breathe better.

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TruDi Balloon Sinuplasy Side Effects and Recovery

Dr. Atkins use two types of anesthesia for BSP and other office procedures. IV sedation is the most common method, however, there are occasions when local sedation is needed.

Monitored IV Sedation: Monitored anesthesia, or IV sedation, is administered by a board certified anesthesiologist through a vein. You will have an IV (small tube that delivers fluids into a vein) placed in your hand or arm before your procedure. All medication will then be delivered through your IV. You will be asleep during the procedure and have no memory of the surgery or feel any pain. You will receive extra oxygen through a mask, but you will be able to breathe on your own. IV sedation offers a higher level of safety for patients.  There is less risk of blood clots and fewer incidents of nausea, vomiting and urinary retention. The IV is removed shortly after your procedure.

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  • IV sedation is pain-free 

  • IV sedation allows for safer, more complete treatment

  • IV sedation allows the BSP procedure to be performed more quickly

 

Local Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is a way to numb a specific area. With local anesthesia, patients are awake and able to talk during the procedure. Occasionally, Dr. Atkins may prescribe medication to help you relax beforehand. Patients having local anesthesia will be completely numb in the area on which the surgery will be performed.  Dr. Atkins will place medication in your nose that will numb the area(s) he will be operating on.. Dr. Atkins’ method for local anesthesia does NOT involve having any shots in your nose. 

 

  • Patients are awake during local anesthesia 

  • Patients are numbed by topical medications during local anesthesia 

  • Local anesthesia is safe and effective for patients who do not wish to have IV sedation or have a health condition that prevents them from having IV sedation

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Facts About Balloon Sinuplasty (BSP)

Is Balloon Sinuplasty Right for You?

Dr. Atkins may advise surgery in your case, but ultimately, it’s your decision. The key issue for you to consider is quality of life. Think about how sinus symptoms affect your day-to-day life. How many sick days do 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 is an option for you, we will do everything we can to explain things so you feel comfortable making a decision.

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Atkins Expert Sinus Care — A Center of BSP Excellence

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Many surgeons advertise that they perform BSP, but before you choose a doctor who specializes in sinuses, you should click here to learn why Atkins Expert Sinus Care BSP and why we feel we are the best choice in South Texas if you are considering this type of surgery.

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Dr. Atkins — An Innovator in Balloon Sinuplasty

Balloon Sinuplasty Timeline

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  • Balloon Sinuplasty (BSP) was developed in 2006, Dr. Atkins was one of the first doctors in the country trained on its use.

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  • In 2007, Dr. Atkins began consulting for Entellus Medical, a sinus balloon manufacturer that helped improve the technology.

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  • Dr. Atkins participated in major research studies between 2007 and 2009 to determine whether doing BSP in the office was safe and effective.

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  • In 2009, Dr. Atkins worked with insurance companies, in order to get BSP performed in a physician’s office to be approved for coverage.

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  • In 2011, in-office BSP was approved for insurance coverage..  Dr. Atkins lectured around the country, teaching doctors how to effectively perform the procedure.

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  • In 2013, Dr. Atkins perfected a technique that allows the procedure to be done without any needles.

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  • Dr. Atkins has had seven articles on BSP published in prominent medical journals.

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  • In 2018, Dr. Atkins begins using TruDiTM for all of his patients.

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  • Today, Atkins Expert Sinus Care is a training center for Johnson & Johnson and trains doctors from all over the USA on how to perform the procedure.

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These accomplishments are the result of 13 years of Dr. Atkins’ dedication to his patients and BSP.

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  • Experience matters when choosing a sinus surgeon. BSP may seem new, but Dr. Atkins has over 12 years of experience performing the procedure with great outcomes. 

 

  • BSP is not painful. Dr. Atkins and his team of board certified anesthesiologist will make sure you are completely numb and comfortable.  

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  • Your nose is not packed or stuffed with gauze. You will not have black eyes or facial bruising. Your nose will look exactly the same after the procedure.

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  • Not everyone is a candidate for BSP. Dr. Atkins will do a thorough exam to determine is BSP is right for you.

  

  • 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.

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  • BSP is covered by most insurance companies. 

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

DR. ATKINS

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  • 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.  

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

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

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  • Has lectured nationwide on BSP for years 

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  • Has done thousands of BSP cases 

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  • Has a Trudi navigation system for BSP in his office

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

MOST OTHER SURGEONS

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  • Just trained in last 2-3 years

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  • Haven’t done any consulting regarding BSP

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  • Haven’t developed any balloon technology 

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  • Have not written anything on BSP

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  • Aren’t training centers
     

  • Haven’t given any lectures on BSP

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

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  • Don’t have Trudi in the office

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  • Only offer local anesthesia

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

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Although Dr. Atkins may advise surgery in your case, ultimately its 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.

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