Reno Otolaryngologist Uses Innovative Technique for Sinus Surgery

RENO, NV--(Marketwire - Jan 23, 2013) - Dr. Stacey Hudson, a board-certified Reno otolaryngologist (ENT), has adopted new technology to treat a sinus condition that is unknown to many patients. What might appear as common cold or allergy symptoms are sometimes indicative of a more serious ailment known as sinusitis. Utilizing balloon sinuplasty, Dr. Hudson is able to help his patients at Advanced Otolaryngology Associates relieve this condition with a safer, less invasive method of sinus surgery.

The symptoms of sinusitis are similar to cold and allergy symptoms:

• Blocked nasal passages
• Sore throat
• Pressure in eyes and ears
• Lost sense of smell and taste

Sinusitis affects approximately 29.8 million Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The condition impairs the drainage of mucus from the sinuses due to infected or inflamed nasal membrane tissue. According to Dr. Hudson, patients are often treated with antibiotics and receive relief only for a month or two before those same symptoms return. Sinus surgery, which traditionally required a small incision to remove the tissue blocking the nasal passage, has changed dramatically with balloon sinuplasty.

Balloon sinuplasty borrows technology that has been commonly used in angioplasty procedures and applies that technology to the sinuses. With this new method of sinus surgery, a balloon is inserted into the nasal passage and gently inflated to allow fluid to drain. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient setting.

The major benefits of balloon sinuplasty versus traditional sinus surgery are:

• Minimal pain since there is no incision or tissue removal
• No pain medications after one or two days
• Faster surgery time
• Dramatically reduced recovery time

Dr. Hudson says that most patients return immediately to their normal activities. Advanced Otolaryngology Associates, a Reno ENT practice, is the only office in Northern Nevada currently performing in-house balloon sinus surgery. The surgery reopens blocked nasal passages, relieving the patient from sinus pressure and pain.

There are a variety of methods that can be used to determine candidacy for balloon sinuplasty. Some of these methods include visual inspection, nasal endoscopy, CT scans and nasal/sinus cultures. Dr. Hudson recommends patients who believe they may be suffering from sinusitis to make an appointment with a board-certified otolaryngologist to see if balloon sinuplasty is the appropriate solution.

About Stacey Hudson, MD
Dr. Stacey Hudson is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and earned his medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Afterward, he completed his internship and residency training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (ENT). Dr. Hudson is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery as well as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is available for interview upon request.