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Surgical techniques are available to, and currently utilized by experienced otolaryngologists for the management of sinus disease and rhinosinusitis refractory to medical therapy. Balloon dilation is a recently introduced technology that may be shown to have a role in the surgical management of sinus disease. The purpose of this Position Statement is to set forth, for our members and other interested persons, the current view of the American Rhinologic Society regarding balloon dilation technology and its place among the armamentaria available to otolaryngologists and their patients in dealing with sinus disease.
To date, two publications, and one additional study to be presented at the 2006 AAO-HNS Foundation annual meeting form the basis for this position statement.
One of these studies described the technical feasibility in cadavers for using balloons to dilate sinus openings. The other published study addressed a small group of ten patients where eighteen sinuses were operated on. The authors concluded that the technology could be performed safely. However, eight of these ten patients required additional or concurrent endoscopic sinus surgery. The abstract for the presentation at the September, 2006, AAO-HNS Foundation Annual Meeting describes follow-up data in a larger patient group.
The American Rhinologic Society would like to clarify the present knowledge regarding this technology for its members and interested persons:
- Balloon dilation technology may have some potential application where surgical management of sinus disease is required.
- This technology has limited surgical indications at this time.
- The majority of patients who are treated with this technology may still require conventional endoscopic sinus surgery.
- In a small group of very selected patients, the use of balloon dilation technology alone may eliminate the need for other surgical techniques.
While this technology has been made public, at this time the scientific literature has no data on the technology for long-term safety, indications, efficacy and outcomes. While balloon sinus dilation technology is an interesting and potentially helpful adjunct to medical and surgical management of rhinosinusitis, additional studies are needed. The American Rhinologic Society will continue to monitor the scientific data on this technology and update this statement as appropriate.The American Rhinologic Society is the world's largest physician organization whose mission focuses upon the medical and surgical treatment of patients with diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Patient care, research and education are integral to the ARS mission.
To learn more about us, visit our website at www.american-rhinologic.org. July 6, 2006, Revised September 15, 2006
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