March 1, 2023

Acclarent Balloon Inflation Device

It used to be that if you were part of the 14.6 percent of the U.S. population affected by nasal airway obstruction, you only had two treatment options -- medication or conventional nasal or sinus surgery, including septoplasty.

Medical therapy includes medication to treat the causes or symptoms of the nasal airway obstruction, but unfortunately, they aren’t effective for up to 25% of patients. If you didn’t respond to medication, you could undergo septoplasty. During a septoplasty, your physician removes bone and cartilage to help open your blocked nasal passageways and straighten a crooked septum.

Today, there is an alternative to replace much harsher, more invasive, or ineffective treatments: The Acclarent Tract balloon.

What is the Acclarent Tract Balloon?

The Acclarent Tract balloon is a minimally invasive device that allows you to create space in the nasal cavity. This space can then be used for endonasal and transnasal procedures or to clear a nasal obstruction. The device acts as a safe treatment alternative to invasive surgery when medications have not helped relieve nasal airway obstruction symptoms and you have a deviated septum..

How Does Relieva Tract Work?

Physicians perform the Relieva Tract procedure under general anesthesia or in their office using topical numbing medication. When the anesthetic takes effect, they will insert a very fine wire with a balloon on the end into your nasal cavity. Once the Relieva Tract device is inside your nasal cavity, your physician will inflate the Acclarent Tract balloon to enlarge your nasal passage. They will then uninflate and remove the Acclarent balloon inflation device. Once your nasal airway is enlarged, your nasal cavity will drain more effectively, relieving nasal airway obstruction symptoms.

Because the Acclarent balloon inflation procedure is performed entirely through your nostrils, your doctor won’t have to cut your skin. The results are permanent and don’t require any implants or additional support.

You may benefit from the Relieva Tract nasal balloon dilation system if you:

• Have had a CT scan showing blocked or inflamed nasal airway
• Have had chronic symptoms for more than three months
• Haven’t experienced relief from decongestants or other medication
• Don’t have other anatomical issues such as nasal polyps causing your nasal airway obstruction

Balloon nasal dilation can also help if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, as blocked nasal passages make it more difficult for you to breathe while you sleep.

Balloon nasal dilation is incredibly effective. According to a study of 1,036 patients, the procedure’s success rate is around 95%.

If ongoing sinus pressure has you searching for something less invasive than traditional surgery, chat with us to find an ENT near you who offers balloon sinuplasty and can help you weigh your options.

What is Nasal Airway Obstruction?

Nasal airway obstruction is a condition characterized by a partial or complete blockage of airflow through the nasal passages, leading to difficulty breathing through the nose. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Deviated septum: This condition is when the nasal septum, which separates the two nostrils, is crooked or shifted to one side. This can cause one nostril to be smaller than the other, leading to difficulty breathing.
• Choanal atresia – This congenital defect produces extra nasal tissue.
• Enlarged turbinates: The turbinates are small, bony structures inside the nose that help to warm and humidify the air we breathe. When they become enlarged, they can block the nasal passages and cause breathing difficulties.
• Enlarged adenoids – Adenoids are part of the immune system and help to protect the body from viruses and bacteria. Adenoids can become enlarged and cause breathing difficulties.
• Nasal polyps: These are noncancerous growths that develop in the lining of the nasal passages. They can cause congestion, difficulty breathing, and a loss of sense of smell.
• Nasal tumors – In rare cases, a tumor can be the cause of nasal obstruction.
• Allergies: Allergies to dust, pollen, or other substances can cause swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages, leading to difficulty breathing.

Symptoms of nasal airway obstruction can vary depending on the cause but may include:

• Difficulty breathing through the nose, especially when lying down or during exercise.
• Frequent snoring or sleep apnea.
• Frequent nosebleeds.
• Recurrent sinus infections.
• Loss of sense of smell.
• Headaches and facial pain.
• Mouth breathing and dry mouth.
• Runny nose or post-nasal drip.
• Chronic congestion or stuffy nose.

What Causes Nasal Airway Obstruction?

Nasal airway obstruction occurs due to the abnormal narrowing of the nasal airway. The triangular “nasal valve,” the narrowest part of your nasal passage, includes three primary structures: the septum, the lateral nasal walls, and the turbinates.

When any of these structures become enlarged, the overall space in your nasal passage becomes smaller and reduces airflow.

Treatment options for nasal airway obstruction depend on the underlying cause and may include medications such as decongestants or nasal steroids, allergy management, or surgery to correct structural abnormalities.

Difference Between Acclarent Tract Balloon and Septoplasty

As outlined above, the balloon nasal dilation procedure performed with the Acclarent Tract balloon is designed to create space in the nasal cavity without having to cut any tissue or remove any parts of the nose. The procedure is an ideal treatment for those who suffer from nasal airway obstructions that are caused by structural abnormalities. The nasal cavity is opened using the balloon, allowing for proper drainage and better airflow.

Septoplasty surgery is much more invasive. It requires the patient to be put under general anesthesia and there is a weeks-long recovery process afterward. The procedure involves cartilage and mucosa being removed from the nose and rearranged to allow for better airflow and better breathing. While sometimes necessary due to birth defect or injury, septoplasty does have several risks including:

• Bleeding
• Reaction to anesthesia
• Infection
• Trouble breathing through the nose
• Scarring
• Swelling around the nose
• Septal Perforation - a hole developing in the septum

How Long is Acclarent Tract Balloon Recovery?

Because the Acclarent Tract balloon procedure is noninvasive, you don’t have to spend a night in the hospital and can go home the same day. Once the anesthetic wears off, you need a friend or family member to pick you up and drive you home.

Most people can go to work the day after their Acclarent Tract balloon procedure. Some lingering numbing sensations may cause mild discomfort and pressure for up to four to five days, which you can treat with over-the-counter pain medication. Following the procedure, your doctor will ask you to use a prescription saline rinse to flush out mucus and debris, speed the healing process, and prevent infection, scarring, or buildup in your nose.

What are Acclarent Tract Balloon Side Effects?

Most commonly, patients who undergo balloon nasal dilation with an Acclarent Tract balloon experience pressure in the nasal cavity or numbness during the procedure, but most have minimal pain in the recovery period. Minor symptoms that have been reported include:

• Drainage, possibly with blood
• Grogginess
• Congestion
• Tiredness
• Tenderness

These minor symptoms disappear about a week after the procedure. There have been serious side effects reported in very rare cases. These include:

• Damage to the nasal structure between the sinuses and the brain
• Changes to the sense of smell
• Changes in the appearance of the nose

It’s advised to avoid strenuous activities for one to seven days after the procedure depending on your doctor's advice for best results, but regular activities can resume within 24-48 hours.

Talk to Your Doctor about the Acclarent Tract Balloon

Nasal airway obstruction can be uncomfortable or even debilitating and have a significant detrimental impact on your quality of life. But you don’t have to live with it! If you suffer from obstructed nasal passages and medication isn’t helping, speak with your doctor about the non-invasive Acclarent Tract nasal balloon dilation procedure.