New Procedure Makes Life A Breeze For Allergy Sufferers

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Spring is right around the corner and with it comes more pollen, making life miserable for allergy sufferers.

Andrea Fujii explains there's a solution that'll end sinus problems forever.

With spring in the air, allergy sufferers must be prepared.

"Zyrtec, nasal spray, Tylenol," said Vincent Liberto, patient.

Going outside for Liberto -- like the other 37 million Americans who suffer from sinusitis -- was agonizing.

"Frequent sinus infection, stuffiness, post nasal drip," said Liberto.

That all stopped a few months ago when he got balloon sinuplasty.

Dr. Lee Kleiman with the Baltimore Washington Medical Center performs the fairly new procedure in which a small balloon is inflated inside the blocked sinus, leaving the passageway permanently open.

"So by dilating that up, but still preserving that natural lining, we don't induce the scarring and trauma to the nose," said Kleiman, otolaryngology surgeon.

Many times it's an in-office procedure, done right in a chair and under local anesthesia.

Surgery candidates include those with severe sinus problems for whom allergy drugs don't work.

Within a few days Vincent recovered and is finally able to enjoy the outdoors again.

Now that Liberto knows spring is coming, he says he does not have to worry about it.

The surgery is covered by most insurance.

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