UMC Health

Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery

What is Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery?

Otolaryngology (ENT) surgery is a medical specialty that diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and head and neck region. ENT surgery includes the surgical treatment of various conditions such as hearing loss, sinus diseases, voice problems, and sleep apnea.

Why is it done?

ENT surgery is performed for a variety of reasons:

  • Ear Diseases: Surgical treatment of conditions such as hearing loss, ear infections, perforated eardrum, and otosclerosis.
  • Nasal and Sinus Diseases: Surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, septal deviation, and nasal congestion.
  • Throat Diseases: Surgical treatment of throat conditions such as chronic tonsillitis, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and vocal cord nodules.
  • Head and Neck Surgery: Surgical treatment of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, removal of head and neck tumors.
  • Sleep Apnea: Surgical treatment of sleep apnea and snoring problems.
  • Aesthetic and Functional Surgery: Aesthetic procedures such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery) and otoplasty (ear correction).

Application Areas

ENT surgery encompasses a wide range of diseases and conditions:

  • Myringotomy and Tube Insertion: A procedure used to treat chronic ear infections and hearing loss.
  • Septoplasty: Correction of the nasal septum and relief of nasal congestion.
  • Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis and sinus polyps.
  • Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy: Surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids.
  • Laryngoscopy: Examination and surgical intervention of the vocal cords and larynx.
  • Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: Surgical removal of thyroid nodules and parathyroid glands.
  • Otoplasty (Ear Correction Surgery): The aesthetic correction of the earlobe.
  • Rhinoplasty: Aesthetic and functional correction of the nose.

Surgery Process

Consultation: Before surgery, you will have a detailed consultation with your doctor to learn about your health condition and treatment options.

Preparation: Necessary tests and examinations will be performed before the surgery. Your doctor will provide you with detailed information about the surgical procedure and preparations will be completed.

Anesthesia: General anesthesia will be administered depending on the type of surgery.

Surgical Procedure: Your surgeon will perform the prescribed surgery. The duration of the surgery varies depending on the complexity of the procedure.

Recovery Process: After the surgery, you will be kept under observation in the hospital for a period of time. After discharge, it is important to follow the care and recovery process recommended by your doctor.

Results

ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) surgery can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life and eliminate problems in the affected area. Maintaining your ENT health is possible with regular doctor check-ups and recommended lifestyle changes after surgery.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, ENT surgery carries certain risks. These risks may include infection, bleeding, complications related to anesthesia, hearing loss, and problems that may occur during the postoperative recovery process. Choosing an experienced and expert surgeon is important to minimize these risks.