The specialists at Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergyroutinely harness the power of the latest technologies to assist patients in New Jersey & Philadelphia with their ear, nose and throat conditions. Below are just a few of several cutting-edge treatment options available for our patients, including:
- Propel
- Sinuva
- ClariFix
- Dupixent
- Latera
Our specialists can help to decide if you might be a candidate for one of these advanced technologies.
Propel
Millions of people suffer from nasal polyps or chronic sinusitis. There are many different treatment options available, but not everyone responds well to them. A newer option for addressing these two conditions is the Propel sinus implant after a sinus procedure or SINUVA sinus implants.
The Propel stent is commonly placed during FESS, or functional endoscopic sinus surgery, to decrease the swelling and assist in the healing of the sinus passages. When you have chronic sinusitis, normal drainage is often prevented due to sinus passage inflammation. During surgery, these passages are enlarged’ however, in some cases post-surgical scarring can occur and polyps may regrow, leading to a return of sinus inflammation, swelling and in some cases, infections.
This is where a Propel implant can make a difference. After completing the surgery, the Propel sinus implant is inserted. It is a spring-like device that helps to keep your sinuses open. The implant also contains mometasone furoate, a type of medication, which releases slowly to limit polyp regrowth and scarring in order to promote healing. Over the course of about one month, the implant will dissolve.
The following may make you a candidate for sinus surgery with Propel:
- Chronic sinusitis that persists beyond four months
- Having at least four cases of acute sinusitis in a year
- Conservative therapies and medicines are offering little to no relief
- History of nasal polyps
During FESS surgery, you are typically given general anesthesia so that you are asleep and can feel no discomfort. Once you are anesthetized, an endoscope is inserted into your nostrils to allow the surgical team to visualize the area. Precision surgical instruments are then used to reposition or remove any necessary tissue. Once the procedure is completed, the implant is placed to keep the sinuses open.
In most cases, FESS is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day. For about a week, you may experience minor pain, swelling, and stuffiness. Your surgeon will provide detailed recovery instructions and any necessary medications to promote healing and recovery.
Sinuva
Sinuva is an implant that is designed for patients who are over the age of 18, have nasal polyps, and who have a history of ethmoid sinus surgery. This technology may be an option if you do not want to repeat sinus surgery.
Once the implant is in place, it begins to release mometasone furoate, a medicine that works to alleviate inflammation and nasal polyps. Once the doctor places the implant, the device uses a two-in-one approach to reduce the symptoms of congestion, nasal obstruction, and polyps. It does this by helping to keep the sinus cavity open while releasing the medication directly to sinus tissue.
The procedure to put this implant into place is simple. It can be performed in the office and you can go home shortly after it is completed.
Your doctor will first numb your nose to help you stay comfortable. Through the nasal opening, the doctor will insert the implant into your ethmoid sinus. Once it is in place, you usually cannot feel it, so there should be no concerns about long-term discomfort due to the implant.
The implant can remain in place for up to 90 days to keep your sinus open and to reduce symptoms of nasal congestion and obstruction. However, you can have it removed sooner at your doctor’s discretion.
ClariFix
ClariFix is an option for patients who experience chronic rhinitis that results in a frequent stuffy or runny nose. This is a condition that affects over 24 million people throughout the United States. Treatments like sprays, pills, and drops may not be appropriate for all people suffering from rhinitis, and for some, they provide inadequate relief. When this is the case, ClariFix may be an option.
This procedure is minimally invasive and treats chronic rhinitis using cryotherapy. The doctor uses an endoscopic approach to place a small device into your nose. A cryotherapy balloon is then used to freeze the area that is causing your symptoms. Overall, the procedure takes under 30 minutes to complete.
With this technology, it is not just your symptoms that are targeted, but the underlying nerves and inflamed nasal tissue that is causing them. You will not need to be put under general anesthesia for this procedure. The doctor will use a local anesthetic so that only the area being worked on is anesthetized. Because of this, you can generally drive yourself home shortly after the procedure is completed.
It may take an average of seven to 30 days to start noticing an improvement in your chronic rhinitis symptoms following a ClariFix treatment. After the procedure, you may notice some discomfort, such as increased congestion, sensitivity, and pain while you are healing. For most people, these symptoms are mild and will go away without further treatment.
Dupixent
Dupixent may be an option for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps that is poorly controlled with medications. Dupixent is a medicine that is injected just below the skin. It is typically given in the abdomen or thigh, but the back of the upper arm is also an acceptable injection site.
This medicine is classified as a biologic. It works to suppress and target the specific elements that trigger immune system inflammation. Injections are given every two weeks.
If intranasal steroids and other medications are not adequately controlling your nasal polyps and related symptoms, then Dupixent could be a viable alternative. It may also reduce the need to have surgery to remove nasal polyps.
Latera
In the US, over 20 million people experience nasal airway obstruction. This reduces how much air they can inhale during regular breathing. When this type of obstruction is present, the following issues can occur:
- Reduced sleep quality or duration
- Trouble breathing when exercising or at rest
- Reduced daytime productivity
Latera is a type of nasal implant that can be used to support lower and upper nasal lateral cartilage. During a minimally invasive procedure, the doctor will place it inside the nasal wall. Once the implant is in place and the cartilage has more support, this may help to alleviate your symptoms so that you can breathe easier.
Over the course of approximately 18 months, the implant will be fully absorbed. The absorption process encourages your body to start enhancing its natural structural support. When the implant is providing support, it does so via the beam component that keeps the walls of your nasal cavity open. Because of this, you experience less congestion and easier breathing.
Some discomfort is possible following the procedure to place the implant. You may be aware that the implant is in place, or experience mild pain, inflammation, bruising or irritation.
Learn More About Advanced ENT Treatments
If your ENT issues are having an impact on your daily life, then it may be time to call the nearest Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy location today to schedule your appointment. You can also choose to use the online form to book your consultation. This is the first step in feeling better and figuring out what you can do to solve your long-term sinus issues. After a thorough evaluation, the experienced doctors at Becker ENT Center will help you to decide if one of these advanced technologies is the right treatment choice for you.