Assemblyman Joseph Azzolina is sleeping better and breathing easier following sinus surgery. Read his story below.
Sinus Surgery Ends
Sinus problems and sleep apnea won’t slow down this politician anymore, thanks to Riverview Medical Center’s new infrared image-guided computer system.
There are plenty of things that can keep a busy executive and legislator up nights. But Joseph Azzolina’s problem wasn’t on his mind, but rather in his head – literally. The District 13 Assemblyman and president of Food Circus Supermarkets (Foodtown) had been plagued by chronic sinus problems for over 10 years. Coping with a persistent cough, postnasal drip, facial pressure, and breathing difficulties had become a way of life for him, and previous surgeries to correct the problems were only partially successful. Even aggressive medical therapy did not work. In recent years, Joe also began to experience an increase in snoring at night and fatigue during the day. “I was coughing constantly – all day and night – and I couldn’t get rid of it,” he says. “It was really keeping me up at night.” Eventually, he underwent a sleep study, where a technician monitored him during his sleep to help identify the cause of his symptoms. The results indicated that he had obstructive sleep apnea.
A Common Sleep Disorder
Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder, affecting over 12 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Many people feel that an inability to get a good night’s sleep is a problem they just have to live with, but sleep apnea can cause far more serious health problems, such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, and headaches. Accurately diagnosing the sleep apnea and undergoing appropriate treatment is extremely important.
Apnea, which is a Greek word meaning “without breath,” is a fairly accurate description of the condition because it causes a cessation of breathing for brief periods of time during sleep. Although there are three types of apnea – obstructive, central, and mixed – the most common is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. The result is a blockage in the airway, which causes interrupted breathing and a poor quality of sleep. Over time, a continuing lack of sleep starts to affect a person’s ability to concentrate and stay awake during the day. Sleep apnea has even been linked to motor vehicle and on-the-job accidents.
The sleep study revealed that Joe had a dangerously high apnea index value of 56, meaning that while he slept, he was not breathing or, at most, breathing very shallowly, for at least 10 seconds, 56 times per hour. Frank Scaccia, M.D., an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) affiliated with Riverview Medical Center, evaluated Joe and ordered a CT scan to determine the severity of Joe’s sinus condition. The scan confirmed that Joe also had persistent and significant disease with polyps and infection involving almost all of his major sinuses.
Assemblyman Joseph Azzolina of Middletown (here with Frank Scaccia, M.D., at Dr. Scaccia’s surgical suite) is sleeping better and breathing easier following sinus surgery.
New Technology, Greater Accuracy
The entire sinus operation was done through Joe’s nose with no external incisions or post-operative swelling.
In addition, specially designed straws were placed through the nose packing so that Joe could breathe through his nose right after surgery, even while the packing was in. In order to treat his snoring and sleep apnea, Dr. Scaccia also simultaneously performed an uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), removing some of the excessive tissue in the back of Joe’s throat.
"Unfortunately, whenever there is scar tissue the risks of surgery become higher and the outcome becomes more unpredictable," says Dr. Scaccia. "However, using Riverview’s new infrared image-guided computer system as a complement to our endoscopic approach, I was able to safely and effectively navigate through Joe’s sinuses and thoroughly clean out the disease."
“What was great was that both the sinus problem and coughing were fixed during one successful surgery,” says Joe. “Dr. Scaccia and his surgical team made sure it was done right the first time, so I didn’t have to come back. And I can’t say enough about how wonderful the nurses were.”
After two days, the packing and straws were removed from Joe’s nose, and he was feeling much better. So much better, in fact, that he was immediately able to resume his legislative duties and made an appearance at the annual Middletown Firemen’s Picnic.
Now Sleeping Soundly
Six weeks later, Joe was almost totally healed.
He noted significant improvement in all of his previous symptoms, which included nasal congestion, daytime fatigue, coughing, snoring, and post-nasal drip. “Now I fall to sleep right away, and even if I have to get up for some reason, I can go back to sleep right away and sleep soundly,” adds Joe. “I’m very satisfied.”
Interested in learning more? Please contact the staff at riverside facial plastic surgery and sinus center about scheduling an appointment.