Why Did I Get a Sinus Infection After I Had a Balloon Sinuplasty?

Balloon sinuplasty has become a popular treatment for chronic sinus issues due to its high success rate and minimal recovery time. This minimally invasive procedure enhances sinus drainage by expanding the sinus passages without requiring traditional surgery. In our practice, we often combine balloon sinuplasty with the correction of structural issues, such as a deviated septum. This approach helps ensure the successful dilation of sinus outflow tracts and improves overall breathing.

Additionally, we emphasize the importance of managing allergies for all patients undergoing balloon sinuplasty. This involves thorough allergy testing and immunotherapy with allergy drops to address underlying allergic reactions effectively.

We frequently see patients who have had balloon sinuplasty elsewhere but continue to experience sinus infections. Often, this is because underlying structural issues were not corrected during the procedure or because allergies were not properly managed.

For individuals prone to polyp formation, a “polyp prevention program” that includes allergy drops and biologic treatments (i.e. Dupixent®), is essential after the procedure.

While it is possible to still develop a sinus infection after balloon sinuplasty, in most cases, residual structural problems or inadequately managed allergies are the primary contributors.