fort in the tongue. And
like any implant, it carries
a small risk of infection.
But recoveries are much
less lengthy and painful
with the implant com-
pared with the other sur-
gical techniques, says Dr.
Capasso.
6. Dilation of the
eustachian tube
This procedure, which
equalizes air pressure for
patients who suffer from
the common condition of
eustachian tube dysfunc-
tion, uses technology simi-
lar to that used for bal-
loon dilation of the sinus-
es. "You place this balloon
in the eustachian tube under visualization, and you inflate that area,"
says Dr. Manes. "You're creating a better opening to allow equalization
of pressure." He says some surgeons have been performing this proce-
dure for a while, but adoption is growing as more literature about it
emerges.
7. Enhanced sinus surgery
Software that provides facial mapping, image guidance and pre-opera-
tive planning is emerging as a valuable tool during sinus surgery.
N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 0 9
• HEAT THERAPY Radiofrequency ablation, which takes about 30 minutes to
perform, shrinks thyroid nodules over time.
Thyroid
&
Endocrine
Center
of
South
Texas
