Review of balloon sinuplasty.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sinus surgery tools are constantly being developed. This review will focus on new devices (popularly called sinuplasty) for use in ostial dilation.

RECENT FINDINGS

Balloons for sinus ostial dilation are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are used worldwide. There have been presentations, publications and discussions concerning these devices. One large level-2 evidence study has demonstrated these devices to be well tolerated and reliable.

SUMMARY

Sinuplasty may represent an exciting and minimally invasive set of devices. They may also represent a premature attempt to transfer dilation into otolaryngology. The emerging data suggest the first statement, with excellent outcomes. More long-term data could still prove the second statement correct. Research and development will make these devices a 'hot topic' in sinus surgery for 2007-2008.