The Mid-South is notorious for allergy troubles and when it becomes a serious problem for sufferers, surgery may be the best solution. A sinus stent option is available to help with a patient’s healing post operation.
Memphis native, Heiskell Weatherford has suffered from allergy issues for years. His reactions to common outdoor encounters, like pollen, didn’t start until his adult years. “Eyes watering, very stuffy, I mean miserable,” he explains.
Those troubles were persistent to the point that he decided on septum surgery. The decision provided some relief, but Sinusitis, a chronic inflammation of the sinus cavities that blocks air flow and drainage, remained.
“I noticed that polyps was obstructing primarily on the left side,” says Dr. Dean Klug of Mid-South Ear Nose and Throat. Weatherford says, he was taking medication to ease his symptoms but, “it got to a point this year that we couldn’t just deal.”
Dr. Klug surgically removed a large polyp from Weatherford’s sinus cavity and followed up but inserting PROPEL, a small sinus stent. The spring-like design helps to keep the sinuses open after surgery and promotes healing with anti-inflammatory medicine that it’s coated in. “It gives off quite a bit of medicine, but there’s no side effects. The steroid helps reduce the swelling,” explains Dr. Klug.
PROPEL remains in place for about 30-days before it typically dissolves and Weatherford says he never felt it after surgery. “You can’t feel it in your nose at all,” he says. What he now notices is relief.
Weatherford says he continues to use over-the-counter medications to help with his allergies but has found continued relief. “It’s the best thing I did. Hopefully I won’t have to do it again, but I would recommend it to anybody. I actually have recommended it to some people.”
