During standard endoscopic sinus surgery, bone and tissue are removed in order to open the passageways, and this can result in scarring and a recurrence of sinusitis in one-quarter of patients.

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Sapien made of coiled steel, like the stents used to prop open clogged heart arteries, and flaps of cow tissue.

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In a 20-minute procedure, the operation involves pinning open the prostate with four clips to move obstructive tissue out of the way.

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Obviously, the soft tissue decayed long ago, and the skull itself is too precious to cut open.

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