Sinuva
Sinuva Sinus Implant Procudure
What is Sinuva?
Sinuva is an innovative new technology in the form of a miniature implant that is inserted into the nasal cavity to reduce nasal polyps and nasal congestion. The Sinuva sinus implant resembles a small umbrella that, once inserted, expands and opens up the nasal walls, allowing for unrestricted breathing and drainage.
Traditional treatments of nasal polyps, like nasal sprays, are often ineffective because they have a hard time reaching your sinuses. Nasal polyps cause an obstruction that makes it difficult for the mist to reach its target. However, as the Sinuva implant is designed to expand and open up the nasal cavity, it allows for a more targeted distribution of the medicine that is released by the implant.
How Does the Sinuva Procedure Work?
The Sinuva sinus implant for polyps has been proven safe and effective through clinical trials and is minimally invasive. The Sinuva procedure can be performed directly in-office by your doctor. There is no need to have the sinus implant inserted in a hospital as it is a simple, non-surgical procedure.
The Sinuva implant is designed with 2-in-1 technology. The structure of the implant expands once inserted, allowing it to open up the nasal or sinus cavity for unrestricted breathing and drainage. However, it also releases medicine that is used to treat nasal polyps.
For the Sinuva procedure, you will simply go in for a routine doctor visit. Your doctor will then numb the inside of your nose using a topical solution or local anesthetic, which typically takes around 10 to 30 minutes to take effect.
Once your nose is numb, your doctor will insert the Sinuva sinus implant into your sinus cavity, which takes about five to ten minutes. Once in place, the implant will expand in the nasal passage.
There is typically minimal discomfort with this procedure, and the Sinuva implant is usually undetectable. Most patients do not feel the presence of the implant after placement.
Over time, the implant will soften as it works to deliver medicine to treat your nasal polyps. Your doctor will suggest leaving the implant in for around 90 days or three months. Once the time is up, you will return to your doctor’s office to have the Sinuva sinus implant removed.
Most patients, after 90 days, will have an improved sense of smell and reduced nasal obstruction and congestion.
If nasal polyps keep coming back after surgery or steroids aren't cutting it, chat with us to find an ENT near you who offers the Sinuva implant and can tell you whether it could help you break the cycle.
What are Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps are growths that occur in the lining of the nose and sinuses. They are soft and noncancerous, meaning they are not life-threatening. However, they can be very frustrating to deal with and cause you to always feel congested.
These growths are typically found right in the area where the sinuses open into the nasal cavity and are described as being tear-dropped shaped. Matured nasal polyps, however, can resemble peeled grapes.
The growth of nasal polyps is usually triggered by inflammation in the nasal tissue known as the mucosa, which is the wet layer that protects your nose and sinuses by keeping them humidified. When there is an infection in the sinuses or an irritation caused by allergies, the inflamed and swollen mucosa will produce more fluid. The longer the mucosa is inflamed, the more likely it is to start growing nasal polyps.
In most cases, nasal polyps do not cause any symptoms. However, because of their size and where they grow, they can cause a blockage, which results in the feeling of congestion. The blockage can also restrict normal drainage from the sinuses, which can then cause further problems and lead to an infection.
What Causes Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps can grow for any number of reasons, and some people develop them without ever having had any previous sinus issues. However, common triggers that have been known to cause nasal polyps include:
- Chronic sinus infections
- Allergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Sensitivity to NSAIDS
- Churg-Strauss syndrome
Some medical experts believe that developing nasal polyps may have to do with an individual's immune system, the general chemical makeup of their body, and the structure of their nose. It is also believed that nasal polyps may be hereditary, meaning if you have a family history of nasal polyps, then you are more likely to get them yourself.
What are the Symptoms of Nasal Polyps?
While nasal polyps do not cause direct symptoms, their growth can cause other problems to occur that can lead to symptoms. So, if you are suffering from any of the below symptoms, it may be a sign that you are suffering from nasal polyps:
- Constant stuffiness or congestion
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Postnasal drip
- Reduced sense of smell
- Mouth breathing
- Facial pain from sinus pressure
- Reduced sense of taste
- Chronic sinus infections
- Sleep apnea
- Snoring
- Sinus headaches
How Can the Sinuva Implant Help My Nasal Polyps?
Conventional treatments for nasal polyps are often either only partially effective or very invasive. Nasal sprays, for example, only deliver about 40% of the medicine because the rest of it gets blocked by the nasal polyp and, therefore, cannot reach the sinuses. Surgery is another conventional treatment option, but it is invasive and requires long healing times as it involves cutting into the nasal tissue and surgical removal of the polypoid tissue.
Sinuva sinus implants, on the other hand, are minimally invasive and more effective than nasal sprays as the device works by direct contact with the nasal mucosa to deliver a constant dose of targeted medicine, and it doesn’t require any cutting or surgery to insert.
What are the Benefits of the Sinuva Procedure?
The Sinuva implant procedure has proven safe and effective in clinical trials and is the first and only FDA-approved implant for nasal polyps.
The many benefits of Sinuva include:
- Easy and simple procedure with minimal discomfort. Patients are typically in and out in less than an hour without any pain.
- Fast relief. As the device immediately expands to open the nasal cavity to start delivering medication, there can be quick improvement in nasal congestion, as the medicine starts targeting the affected area right away.
- Non-surgical. There is no cutting required. The device is inserted without damaging the nasal tissue and is then removed around 90 days later once it has done its job.
- Proven results. The Sinuva implant has proven to shrink nasal polyps, reduce sinus obstruction, and improve the sense of smell.
How Do I Know If I am a Candidate for the Sinuva Implant?
Sinuva has proven effective in treating adults with nasal obstruction and congestion caused by nasal polyps. However, the best way to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure is to speak to your doctor.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history and symptoms and perform an exam to determine if Sinuva is right for you. Some of these questions may include the following:
- Have you previously had ethmoid sinus surgery?
- What symptoms are you experiencing?
- What treatments are you currently taking, or have you already taken in the past to treat your nasal polyps? (i.e., antibiotics, steroid sprays, saline rinses, allergy medications, etc.)
How Much Does Sinuva Cost to Buy?
The cost of Sinuva will vary depending on your insurance provider, so there is no way to provide an exact cost. Many insurance policies cover Sinuva under either your pharmacy or medical benefit. However, you may still be responsible for any copay or co-insurance costs associated with the Sinuva implant itself and the visit to your doctor to have the implant inserted.
For more information, you will need to contact your insurance provider to ask them, as they will be able to give you a better idea of the cost and what is covered.
Does Medicare Cover Sinuva?
Medicare coverage of Sinuva will depend on the specific drug plan that you have. Some plans might not cover Sinuva, while others might offer a reimbursement for the cost of the Sinuva implant. But again, you will need to contact your provider directly to check.
How Long Does the Sinuva Implant Last?
The Sinuva implant is intended to last up to 90 days or around three months. Over time, the implant will soften as it releases medicine to treat your nasal polyps. Once it has done its job, your doctor will schedule a visit to bring you back in and remove the implant.
If the treatment did not work for some reason, your doctor may suggest trying again, or they might suggest other options, such as surgery or other medications.
What Are the Sinuva Implant Side Effects?
While Sinuva is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure, all sinus procedures come with risks. Most patients do not experience pain and only suffer minimal pressure and discomfort during the procedure.
However, if side effects were to occur, they could include mild nosebleeds and some mild discomfort. If you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain, a persistent headache, or a choking sensation—which may suggest the implant has dislodged from the nose—call your doctor immediately.
Talk to a Doctor About the Sinuva Implant for Nasal Polyps
If you are suffering from nasal polyps and are looking for a safe and effective treatment that delivers fast relief, talk to your doctor. They can review your medical history and the symptoms you are experiencing to determine if Sinuva is right for you.