Improve healing after sinus surgery with the PROPEL® sinus stent. This tiny, dissolvable implant keeps your sinuses open while delivering anti-inflammatory medicine right where it’s needed. At Surgical Associates Northwest, our ENTs place it during surgery to reduce swelling, scarring, and the need for additional treatments, and support a smoother recovery.
Keep Sinuses Open After Surgery
The PROPEL sinus stent is a small, dissolvable implant placed by your ENT at the end of sinus surgery. It gently holds the sinus openings open while delivering anti-inflammatory medication to the surgical area. This medicine helps reduce swelling and scarring as your sinuses heal. Over time, the stent naturally dissolves, so nothing needs to be removed. The goal is to support healing, keep the sinuses open, and reduce the need for oral steroids during recovery.
What Does a Propel Sinus Stent Do?
The PROPEL sinus stent is placed by your ENT at the end of sinus surgery, when the sinus tissues are most vulnerable to swelling and scarring. Its purpose is to support proper healing by gently holding the sinus openings open while delivering anti-inflammatory medication directly to the surgical site. This helps protect surgical outcomes during the early healing phase.
By doing so, it can help reduce the likelihood of post-surgical issues, including:
- Excessive swelling that narrows the sinus openings
- Scar tissue or adhesions that block sinus drainage
- Early closure of surgically opened sinus passages
- Ongoing inflammation that delays healing
- The need for additional procedures or oral steroids
Benefits of the Propel Sinus Stent
The PROPEL sinus stent supports healing after sinus surgery and protects the results of your procedure.
Key benefits of the PROPEL sinus stent may include:
- Keeping sinus openings open during the healing process
- Delivering anti-inflammatory medication directly to the sinuses
- Reducing post-surgical swelling and irritation
- Lowering the risk of scar tissue and adhesions
- Decreasing the need for oral steroids or additional procedures
Your Propel Sinus Stent Experience
Your experience with the PROPEL sinus stent begins during sinus surgery, after your ENT has opened the blocked sinus passages. Before the procedure is finished, the stent is gently placed into the treated sinus cavity using specialized instruments. It expands to fit the space, helping support the newly opened area. At the same time, it begins releasing anti-inflammatory medication directly to the surrounding tissue, right where swelling typically occurs.
After surgery, you won’t need a separate visit to place or remove the stent. You may notice mild pressure, congestion, or crusting as your sinuses heal, which is entirely normal. Over the following weeks, the stent gradually dissolves on its own. During follow-up visits, your ENT monitors healing and gently cleans the area if needed to support a smooth recovery.
Propel Sinus Stent FAQs
Will I Feel the Propel Sinus Stent After Surgery?
You typically won’t feel the stent itself. Most sensations after surgery are due to normal swelling, congestion, or healing tissues. Some patients notice mild pressure or fullness early on, but this usually improves as inflammation goes down.
Does the Propel Sinus Stent Need to Be Removed?
No. The stent is made from a dissolvable material that gradually gets absorbed by the body over several weeks. You won’t need a separate procedure to have it taken out.
How Long Does the Medication Last?
The stent slowly releases anti-inflammatory medication directly into the sinus tissue during the early healing phase, when swelling and scarring are most likely to occur. This localized delivery helps support healing without relying on long courses of oral steroids.
Can the Stent Move or Fall Out?
In rare cases, parts of the stent can shift or break down sooner than expected as it dissolves. If this happens, it’s usually harmless and may be addressed during a routine follow-up visit.
Is the Propel Sinus Stent Right for Every Sinus Surgery?
Not always. Your ENT will decide if it’s right based on your anatomy, the extent of surgery, and your history of inflammation or scarring.
Why Choose Surgical Associates Northwest?
Surgical Associates Northwest is a trusted ENT practice that has proudly served the Auburn and Federal Way communities for over 40 years. Our team is known for being highly accessible and responsive, ensuring you can maintain direct access to your ENT, unlike many hospital-based groups. If you’re suffering from nasal obstruction or need surgery, schedule your consultation to determine your candidacy for a PROPEL sinus stent in Auburn or Federal Way, WA.
