Sinus Surgery Helps Child With Chronic Sinusitis

PARKER, Colo. (CBS4) - Kids and colds seem to go together, but if a child never seems to get better sinus surgery may be an option that can help.

The family of a 4-year-old patient at Parker Adventist Hospital told CBS4 he is finally sniffle free after a minimally invasive operation involving a balloon.

"When he was a baby he had earaches and chronic coughs and chonic sinus infections," said Christina Jenkins, describing her son's chronic sinusitis that developed a few years ago.

In January Nate got a terrible cold and cough. He had earaches that five different antibiotics couldn't cure.

"I started with a little cold after Christmas and then it got bigger," he said. "I was very sick."

Nate's mother turned to Parker Adventist's Dr. James Jaskunas, a pediatric ear, nose and throat surgeon.

He suggested Nate undergo pediatric balloon sinuplasty. The procedure is done under general anesthesia. The surgeon puts a small catheter into the nose and the sinus passage then inflates a tiny balloon.

"It actually remodels the bone," Jaskunas said. "It stetches the opening of the sinus to allow it to drain better.

Nate had surgery on April 2 and he is now breathing much easier.

"It was like night and day. It was remarkable," his mother said.

"He looks very good today," Jaskunas said.