Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists provide medical and surgical treatment for a wide variety of ailments. The ENT field is also called otolaryngology and its specialists are known as otolaryngologists.
Adults and children can develop ENT conditions that require treatment, including surgery. In some cases – such as with ear infections – children are more susceptible to developing these problems because their bodies have not finished growing and the internal structures of their ears are smaller and differently positioned than in adults. Sometimes, having one untreated ENT condition (such as chronic ear infections) can lead to other problems (like hearing loss and/or balance issues).
These days, many ENT surgeries can be performed in a minimally invasive manner at an outpatient facility like The Surgery Center of Chester County. Patients and surgeons alike benefit from our fully equipped, state-of-the-art facility that offers convenience, comfort, and advanced technology and equipment.
ENT Conditions Treated
Surgeons credentialed with The Surgery Center of Chester County in Exton, Pennsylvania, use our facility to treat a great many ear, nose, and throat conditions. The most common ENT conditions treated at our surgery center include:
- Allergies
- Chronic ear infections
- Earaches
- Head and neck disorders
- Hearing loss
- Nasal polyps
- Sleep apnea
- Sinus infections
- Sore throat
- Swallowing disorders
- Swimmer’s ear
- Throat or vocal cord issues
- Tonsilitis
Common Outpatient ENT Surgeries
Common types of ear, nose, and throat surgeries performed on an outpatient basis include:
MYRINGOTOMY & EAR TUBES
A myringotomy and tympanostomy are done in the same outpatient surgery.
A myringotomy involves creating a small opening in the eardrum to relieve pressure and drain fluid due to chronic ear infections. This procedure can also restore hearing loss caused by chronic fluid buildup in the ears.
A tympanostomy involves inserting tiny cylinders (ear tubes) into the eardrum to facilitate fluid drainage. This is especially important for those with chronic ear infections. In most cases, the ear tubes will fall out on their own after a year or two. When needed, your ENT surgeon may perform a tube removal procedure that not only extracts the ear tube, but also any scar tissue in the area, which can allow for better, more complete healing of the ear drum.
NASAL & SINUS ENDOSCOPY
When your ENT physician performs a nasal or sinus endoscopy in their office, it is typically done for diagnostic purposes, as well as to treat minor issues. The procedure is conducted using a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, inserted via a nostril.
Endoscopic nasal or sinus surgery is typically done in an outpatient surgical center. These procedures can unblock passageways to resolve symptoms such as pain, swelling, impaired breathing, and other problems. A functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), for example, is a common minimally invasive method used to treat chronic sinus infections. Sinus passageways are opened up by removing affected tissue, such as nasal polyps or other obstructions – and all of this is done using an endoscope inserted into a nostril, so no open incision is necessary.
SEPTUM REPAIR
A septoplasty involves the surgical repair and repositioning of the nasal septum (the cartilage and bone that separates the nostrils). When the septum bends too much to one side – a condition called a deviated septum – it can make it difficult to breath, especially during sleep, and can cause snoring and sleep apnea.
Septal repair may also be performed to fix a tear or perforation in the septum. A hole in the nasal septum can cause whistling, inflammation, stuffiness, and infection.
TONSIL AND ADENOID REMOVAL
The tonsils and adenoids are tissue that help fight infection but will become swollen and inflamed when infected. The tonsils are round, fleshy tissue located at either side of the back of the throat. Adenoids are not as easy to identify by sight alone – adenoids are located at the back of the nasal passage, above the throat. Removal of the tonsils (a tonsillectomy) and adenoids (an adenoidectomy) are most commonly performed in children with chronic throat infections or obstructive sleep apnea.