In situations where there is severe narrowing or blockage of the sinus drainage pathways in the nose, recurrent sinusitis is often difficult to prevent, even with the daily use of maximal medical therapy. In these situations, the technique of balloon sinuplasty can be utilized to improve sinus ventilation, and prevent recurrent infections. This new technology, which has been available for the past 10 years, makes use of balloon catheters, similar to ones used by a cardiologist to dilate blocked coronary arteries, to open blocked sinus openings. Though its use is limited by the number of practitioners who have been trained to use it, it has become a very effective part of the sinusitis treatment program at HARMONY Center for Surgery of the Ears, Nose and Throat. The procedure is done under topical and local anesthesia in the procedure room of our Center. Patients experience almost no discomfort, and are able to return to work the following day. The most recent data available suggests that approximately 92% of the sinuses that have been opened in this fashion remained open 2 years later.