Historically, sinusitis patients have been treated with medications, and most get better. However, when medication fails, sinus surgery is often the best option. Conventional sinus surgery requires general anesthesia and the removal of bone and tissue to open blocked passageways. Instead of conventional surgery, approximately 900,000 patients a year elect to live with painful sinus conditions. Now there is an alternative solution with the balloon sinus dilation technology. Balloon sinus dilation allows the physician to use a small balloon to open blocked sinus openings. This is similar to the cardiology procedure of angioplasty where a balloon opens blocked heart arteries. It is designed to be permanent and reduce the chronic symptoms of sinus sufferers.