Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure, developed with the aim of restoring patency of the paranasal sinuses ostia with minimal damage to the mucosa. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of balloon sinuplasty in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study comprising 18 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without polyposis who underwent balloon sinuplasty. Patients were evaluated for clinical criteria, quality of life (Sino-Nasal Outcome Questionnaire Test-20 [SNOT-20]), and computed tomography of the sinuses (Lund-Mackay staging) preoperatively and three to six months after the procedure. RESULTS: Out of 18 patients assessed, 13 were included, with a mean age of 39.9±15.6 years. Ostia sinuplasty was performed in 24 ostia (four sphenoid, ten frontal, and ten maxillary sinus). At the follow-up, 22 (92%) ostia were patent and there was no major complication. There was symptomatic improvement (SNOT-20), with Cronbach coefficients for consistency of the questionnaire items of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.73-0.94) preoperatively and of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.77-0.95) postoperatively, the difference being statistically significant (p<0.001). In addition, there was marked reduction of the computed tomography signs, an average of 4.2 point score (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Sinuplasty is effective in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life as a treatment option for chronic rhinosinusitis in selected patients.