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ENT (Otolaryngology) guides
21 plain-English, evidence-linked guides in ENT (Otolaryngology), with clinical review status shown on each page.
Balloon sinuplasty (Balloon catheter dilation of paranasal sinus ostia)A less invasive procedure that uses a small balloon to widen blocked sinus openings, for selected people with chronic sinusitis without polyps when medical treatment has not been enough.Branchial cyst removal (Excision of branchial cyst (branchial cleft cyst excision))An operation to remove a fluid-filled lump on the side of the neck that you are born with, usually done to stop repeated infections or to be sure of the diagnosis.Cochlear implant (Cochlear implantation)A surgically placed device that can give a useful sense of sound to people with severe or profound hearing loss who get little benefit from hearing aids.Ear drum repair (Myringoplasty (type 1 tympanoplasty))An operation to repair a persistent hole in the ear drum using a graft, to stop repeated infections, keep the ear dry and sometimes improve hearing.Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) (Functional endoscopic sinus surgery)Keyhole surgery through the nostrils to open blocked sinuses, usually for chronic rhinosinusitis when sprays, rinses and other treatment have not controlled the symptoms.Grommet insertion (child) (Insertion of grommets (ventilation tubes) for glue ear)A short day-case operation in which a tiny tube (grommet) is placed in a child's eardrum to drain fluid and improve hearing in glue ear.Hearing assessment and balance testing (Audiological and vestibular assessment)A set of usually not painful tests that measure how well you hear and how well your balance organs are working, to help find the cause of hearing loss, dizziness or unsteadiness.Mastoid surgery (Mastoidectomy)An operation, usually for cholesteatoma or long-standing ear infection, to clear disease from the air spaces of the bone behind the ear and make the ear safe.Microlaryngoscopy (voice box examination and surgery) (Microlaryngoscopy (microlaryngeal surgery / vocal fold surgery))A short operation, under general anaesthetic, to look closely at the voice box and treat problems on the vocal cords such as nodules, polyps, cysts or areas that need a biopsy.Nasal polyp removal (Nasal polypectomy)An operation to remove soft swellings (polyps) that block the nose, usually when steroid sprays or drops have not controlled the symptoms.Nosebleed cautery (Nasal cautery for epistaxis)A quick procedure to seal a small bleeding blood vessel inside the nose, usually with a silver nitrate stick, to reduce repeated nosebleeds.Parotid gland surgery (parotidectomy (removal of part or all of the parotid gland))Surgery to remove part or all of the parotid salivary gland in front of and below the ear, usually to remove a lump.Septal perforation repair (nasal septal perforation repair (septal perforation closure))Surgery to close a hole in the wall between the two sides of the nose, usually to relieve crusting, bleeding, whistling or a blocked feeling.Septoplasty (deviated septum) (Septoplasty)An operation to straighten a bent partition (septum) inside the nose, aimed at improving a genuinely blocked nasal airway when sprays have not helped enough.Snoring and sleep apnoea surgery (surgery for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea)An overview of operations sometimes used for snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea, what they can realistically achieve, and why other treatments usually come first.Stapedectomy (otosclerosis surgery) (Stapedectomy / stapedotomy)An operation for otosclerosis that replaces the fixed stapes (the smallest hearing bone) with a tiny prosthesis to improve a specific type of hearing loss.Submandibular gland removal (submandibular gland excision (removal of the submandibular salivary gland))Surgery to remove a salivary gland from under the jaw, usually because of repeated blockage, stones, infection or a lump.Surgery for throat or voice box cancer (Surgical treatment of laryngeal and pharyngeal (throat) cancer, including laryngectomy)An operation, or part of a wider treatment plan, to remove cancer of the voice box or throat, ranging from precise keyhole laser removal to removing the whole voice box.Tongue base / palate surgery (UPPP) (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and tongue base surgery)Throat surgery that trims and reshapes the soft palate, uvula and sometimes the tongue base to widen the airway in snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea.Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy) (Tonsillectomy)An operation to remove the tonsils, usually for repeated tonsillitis or breathing problems during sleep.Turbinate reduction (turbinate reduction (turbinoplasty / inferior turbinate surgery))A small procedure to shrink the swollen turbinates inside the nose so air can pass more easily when a blocked nose has not settled with sprays.
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