New Procedure at Littauer Offers Hope to Chronic Sinusitis Sufferers

GLOVERSVILLE, NY (12/09/2009)(readMedia)-- Nathan Littauer Hospital in conjunction with Dr. Bradley Paddock, a local Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Physician, has announced the launch of a Balloon Sinuplasty (TM) treatment at Nathan Littauer's Surgical Center in Gloversville.

Littauer's CEO and President Laurence E. Kelly notes, "Yet again, we are the first in the area to offer a new procedure to our patients. This procedure in particular, offers new hope to people who suffer with sinusitis, a very common problem."

Dr. Paddock has been working extensively with Acclarent, Inc., a privately held medical device company in Menlo Park, CA.. According to Acclarent, the company is focused on "achieving the goals of sinus surgery with novel, endoscopic, catheter-based tools - Balloon Sinuplasty devices." Acclarent reports that about 10% of the population suffers with sinusitis and could benefit from this procedure. Dr. Paddock has completed Acclarent's certification course in balloon sinuplasty and related techniques.

According to Paddock, sinusitis sufferers generally tend to live with their symptoms or use a myriad of medications like nasal sprays or antibiotics. More drastic treatments can involve cutting and drilling surgery on the delicate bones of the para nasal sinus complex. Dr. Paddock explains, "We have been performing this procedure since August with excellent results."

The new Balloon Sinuplasty treatment offers a less invasive way to treat patients. Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that works by widening the drainage channels from the sinuses into the nasal cavities through the use of specially designed balloons. The surgery can be done as an outpatient service allowing patients the opportunity to go home that day. It can also be done as a compliment to conventional sinus surgery.

Dr. Paddock states, "NLH was one of the first two hospitals to bring fiber optic sinus surgery to the Capital District and it was one of the first hospitals to use image-guided techniques. I am glad that we can again offer an improvement to our patients with sinus disease. While Acclarent's equipment allows us to help patients with any sinus problems it is especially beneficial to patients with frontal and sphenoid sinus disease. "

To find out more information on the procedure please contact the office of Dr. Bradley Paddock, at 518-725-8656.