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Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery

Otolaryngology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, function and diseases of the ears, nose and throat (also referred to as “ENT”). Our surgical care team and associated otolaryngologists are skilled in performing a variety of surgeries and procedures for common ear, nose and throat conditions.

Prior to surgery, be sure to review our Important Patient Instructions and Information.

Ear Tubes
Commonly used in children who suffer from repeat ear infections, ear tubes are tiny, hollow, plastic tubes that are placed in a small surgical opening in the eardrum. This allows any fluid behind the ear drum to drain and allows air into the middle ear, which reduces the incidence of ear infections, relieves pressure and pain in the ear, and can improve hearing. The procedure is relatively quick and simple and is performed under general anesthesia.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Endoscopic sinus surgery is performed when the mucous membranes inside the nose and facial sinuses become chronically inflamed or infected, and the infection or inflammation cannot be relieved with medication. During the procedure, an endoscope (a thin, flexible, lighted viewing instrument) is inserted into the nose, along with surgical instruments designed to remove small amounts of bone, polyps, tissue or other materials blocking the sinus opening. The procedure may be performed under either local or general anesthesia, in your doctor’s office or at the hospital.

Laryngoscopy
Laryngoscopy is a diagnostic procedure in which the doctor uses a lighted scope to examine the back of your throat, larynx (voice box) and vocal cords to help determine the cause of various problems including voice issues, throat and ear pain, and difficulty swallowing. The scope may also be used to perform a biopsy, remove foreign objects from the throat, or remove polyps from the vocal cords. The scope may be rigid or flexible, depending on the particular problem or procedure to be performed. Flexible laryngoscopies are generally performed in your doctor’s office, while rigid laryngoscopies are performed in our Doris E. Madeira Endoscopy Suite at Day Kimball Hospital under general anesthesia.

Septoplasty
Septoplasty is the repair of the nasal septum, the wall of thin bone and cartilage that separates the two nasal passages. The procedure is performed to correct a deviated septum, a condition in which the septum is crooked, which can lead to breathing problems, snoring and sleep apnea. It may also be performed to allow access into the nose to remove nasal polyps. The procedure may be done under either local or general anesthesia.

Thyroidectomy
Thyroidectomy is the removal of all or part of the thyroid, a gland located at the front of the neck just under the Adam’s apple that produces hormones responsible for regulating many of the body’s functions. A thyroidectomy may be performed to treat thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism (where the thyroid is producing too much hormone) and thyroid cancer.

Tonsilectomy and Adenoidectomy
Tonsils and adenoids are part of the lymphatic system. Tonsils are located at each side of the back of the throat and adenoids are located above the roof of the mouth, behind the nose. Either the tonsils or adenoids or both may be removed due to tonsillitis (infection of the tonsils), adenoiditis (infection of the adenoids), or to help treat frequent throat infections and inflammation. They may also be removed if they are so large as to cause ear infections or sleep apnea. The procedure may be performed under local or general anesthetic, depending on the patient’s age.

Tympanoplasty
Tympanoplasty is the surgical reconstruction of the tympanic membrane (ear drum) and sometimes also the small bones of the middle ear. This surgery may be performed if the ear drum becomes perforated due to chronic infection or trauma.

Billing & Payment Information

Please note that billing for surgical procedures will be submitted to your insurance carrier by more than one party; the physician’s practice for surgical services, Day Kimball Hospital for facility services and North American Partners for Anesthesia (NAPA) for anesthesiology services (if applicable). Please check with your insurance carrier for details about your specific coverage, copays, deductibles and any prior authorization requirements. If you have questions about your Day Kimball Hospital bill or need help paying for care, please contact our team of financial counselors. See our billing page for more information.