Safety and outcomes following hybrid balloon and balloon-only procedures using a multifunction, multisinus balloon dilation tool.

Background: A multicenter prospective study was conducted to assess the safety and sustained effectiveness of a new instrument possessing multifunctionality as an ostium seeker, suction-irrigator, and malleable balloon-dilator indicated for treating multiple sinuses.

Methods: Endoscopic balloon-only and hybrid-balloon procedures involving dilation of the frontal recesses, maxillary ostia, and/or sphenoid sinus ostia were performed in 175 patients. One-month follow-up was required for all patients. The first 50 patients enrolled also consented to a 1-year follow-up. Complications and sinus symptom severity were assessed at the 1-month visit. Symptom severity and ostial patency of the treated sinuses were evaluated at the 1-year visit.

Results: A total of 497 balloon dilations (279 frontal, 138 sphenoid, and 80 maxillary) were attempted in 175 patients. Over 96% (479/497) of the attempted sinus dilations were successfully completed, while 18 dilations were converted to traditional dissection due to an inability to access or dilate the targeted anatomy. Two (1.1%) nonserious adverse events were reported following hybrid-balloon dilation and both were unrelated to the device or the procedure. Forty-four of 50 patients in the extended follow-up cohort completed the 1-year follow-up. Sinus symptom improvement in this group improved significantly from an average severity of 1.9 ± 1.1 to 0.8 ± 0.7 (p < 0.0001) and 1-year ostial patency was 91.6% (76/83). One revision surgery (2.3%) was performed.

Conclusion: These results indicate that a multifunctional, malleable, balloon-dilating device can be safely and successfully used to treat multiple sinuses with sustained ostial patency and symptom improvement for at least 1 year.