Good Samaritan Hospital’s Dr. David Bough is One of First Doctors in the Country to Perform Minimally Invasive Balloon Sinuplasty

Suffern, N.Y. (August 9, 2007) – Dr. David Bough, a board certified Otolaryngologist serving Bergen and Rockland county, has become one of the first surgeons in the country to perform minimally invasive balloon sinuplasty for the treatment of chronic sinusitis, a procedure he is currently performing at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, N.Y. Dr. Bough is an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist who practices with ENT & Allergy Associates LLP in both the Oradell, NJ and West Nyack, NY offices.

About nine months ago, Dr. Bough became one of the nation’s first ENT surgeons to perform the minimally invasive sinuplasty, a technique that is similar to the procedure pioneered for and used in cardiac balloon angioplasty. The minimally invasive procedure differs significantly from the more conventional sinus surgery, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), which involves the removal of bone or tissue to create more space within the sinuses. Balloon sinuplasty offers a far quicker recovery and avoids much of the post-surgery pain, bruising and bleeding associated with FESS.

“Some patients have sinuses that are difficult to reach via conventional surgery. This technique, however, allows me to reach these anatomically difficult patients with minimal risk,” said Dr. Bough. “It is now much safer to access the frontal and sphenoid sinuses, a process which previously ran the risk of intracranial complications. You don’t need to worry about that with this technique.”

In the minimally-invasive balloon sinuplasty procedure, a wire is guided through the nostrils to reach the nasal cavities that need dilation. A balloon is then advanced over the wire into the sinus opening and is slowly inflated. Once the space has been sufficiently dilated, both wire and balloon are removed, leaving a clear sinus passageway. This minimally invasive procedure can be performed in most surgical settings with fluoroscopy, an x-ray procedure that makes it possible to see internal structures.

“This procedure is very new,” said Dr. Bough. “However, in my experience, and reading through the medical literature, there have thus far been no unexpected complications, and most patients can return to work the following day.”

Although the Balloon Sinuplasty System was FDA approved about a year ago, the technique was being used experimentally before then. Last year, the six-month results of the procedure were published, noting excellent results and no complications.

Dr. Bough holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Dartmouth College, and a Masters Degree in Physiology from Georgetown, in addition to his Medical Degree which he earned from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He completed his residency in head and neck surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Good Samaritan Hospital is part of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, which also includes St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY. Additionally, Bon Secours Charity Health System provides the services of a Certified Home Health Agency, two long-term care facilities, an assisted living and adult home facility and several other medical programs. For more information on this, or any of the hospital’s programs or services, contact Good Samaritan Hospital at 845-368-5000, or visit www.GoodSamHosp.org.

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