As seen in LA Harbor News.
The Guardian reported that Johnson arrived at the hospital around 6 am and made it back home by 10 am. According to a medical source, he likely had a functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), a procedure used to treat chronic sinusitis. One method doctors use in FESS is they insert a small balloon into the patient's nostril, and that balloon then inflates to open the patient's blocked sinus. The procedure does not include facial incisions, and complications are minimal.
There are in fact treatments available for patients who feel they have exhausted all options when combating chronic sinusitis.
“One of them is the balloon sinuplasty,” Dr. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said. “Obviously this is by far the most effective tool at our disposal to open the sinus passageways in a minimally invasive way, providing for a quick recovery and an effective, long-lasting result.”
Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure that is used to clear blocked sinuses. This surgery is fairly new and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. It’s often referred to as the “smart sinus” procedure, according to Healthline.
Following a balloon sinuplasty, many patients have the ability to resume regular activities within a day or so. Some patients are even able to drive themselves home after the procedure is complete.
Balloon sinuplasty is growing in popularity due to its lower risks and a quicker recovery time, compared to traditional sinus surgery, according to GoodRx. The procedure does not involve the removal of any bones or facial tissue and results in less pain and swelling, as well as a lower infection risk.
To learn more about sinusitis or balloon sinuplasty, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz from SoCal Breath Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.