Common Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Procedures you should know

Health is wealth, so goes the saying. Many-a-times one falls ill. But sometimes unexpectedly you need to undergo minor surgeries so that your health will be restored back to normal.

The first thing you ought to know is that with the advent of science and technology, surgical procedures have been simplified and is less risky now. Furthermore, surgeons prefer surgical methods after various medications have failed. And surgery is recommended only if and when necessary. 

The Ear, Nose, and Throat form an important category of the surgical procedures. The common ailments included in this are sinusitis, tonsillitis, vertigo and sleep disorders. There are some common procedures performed to treat various problems of the ear, nose, and throat:   

1.    Common surgeries of the throat:

Removal of tonsils or adenoids – Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy are performed to remove tonsils and adenoids respectively. These surgeries are recommended when the patient has persistent and repeated infection and inflammation. Additionally, sometimes tonsils and adenoids enlarge thereby giving rise to breathing and swallowing problems. They disturb the sleeping patterns too. 

Problems in swallowing or speech- For people who have vocal cord issues due to tumors, surgery is advisable. Tracheotomy is performing a cut in the windpipe so that the air reaches the lungs. Tracheotomy is performed when you need to remove secretions from the air passage or when a person in under ventilation for a long time.  

Surgery of the head and neck region – This is usually performed to remove tumors in the larynx, head or bone.

2.    Common surgeries of the nose:

Sinusitis – Also termed as Rhinosinusitis, this is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the sinuses.  The air passage gets congested, and its most common symptom is the recurring headaches. Sinus surgery is performed to treat sinus problem.

Nose surgeries for nasal obstruction – Septoplasty is undertaken for the correction of the septum to ease nasal congestion. This procedure is done when the septum consisting of thin bone and cartilage deviates and blocks the air flow passage. 

3.    Common surgeries of the ears:

Rectifying ruptured ear drum – Tympanoplasty is the method of reconstructing the ruptured ear drum.

Cochlear implants – Here implants are inserted into the inner portion of the ear to stimulate nerve endings. This ensures that hearing is restored. This procedure which is still in its nascent stages is carried out on sensorineural hearing loss patients who have severe hearing loss.

Removal of tiny bones in the middle ear – Stapedectomy is performed to remove part of the stapes bone which blocks sound from entering the middle ear.

Insertion of tubes to drain fluids from infected ear- Tympanostomy or Myringotomy is a common procedure for the ear tube insertion to drain pus and fluids out from the infected ear. This balances the pressure and thus reduces the ear pain.  

Never panic when your doctor suggests a procedure. Always get a second opinion from the local reputed ENT specialist in Bangalore and act accordingly. 

And when you are under the supervision of expert ENT surgeons, there is no cause for worry.