Ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons are trained in the surgical and medical treatment of conditions of the ears, nose, throat, head and neck. UKSH offers NHS patients a range of ENT procedures using the latest ENT equipment. Procedures performed include:

Tonsillectomy

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure performed to prevent recurrent or acute tonsillitis or to correct breathing difficulties by removing the tonsils from either side of the throat.

Tonsillectomy is performed under general anaesthesia. It is often performed as a day case procedure; though an overnight stay at the hospital is sometimes required.

Endoscopic throat procedures, flexible laryngoscopy

Laryngoscopy is a visual examination below the back of the throat, where the voice box containing the vocal cords is located. It is an effective procedure for discovering the causes of problems relating to voice or breathing, pain in the throat or ear, difficulty in swallowing, and blockages in the airway.

Laryngoscopy is a day case procedure.

Septoplasty, polypectomy, SMD, inferior turbinated, intranasal antrostomy

Septoplasty is a corrective surgical procedure performed to improve nasal airflow by straightening the nasal septum, which is the partition between the two nasal cavities.

Turbinate surgery is a surgical procedure performed to improve nasal airflow by reducing the size of the nasal turbinates (long, narrow and curved bone shelves which protrude into the breathing passage of the nose). Factors such as allergies, irritants or inflammation of the sinuses may cause them to become swollen and block the nasal passages.

These procedures are performed under general anaesthesia. It is often performed as a day case procedure; though an overnight stay at the hospital is sometimes required.

FESS, functional septorhinoplasty

Septorhinoplasty is a corrective surgical procedure performed to improve nasal airflow by straightening the nasal septum inside the nose and also correcting the external nasal deformity. It is performed when sufficient correction of the septal deformity is not possible without the correction of the nasal deformity.

The procedure might involve the fracture and reposition of the nasal bones, the partial resection of these bones and making incisions on the skin of the nose. Most of the procedure is performed from inside the nose.

Septorhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia, and requires an overnight stay at the hospital. The wearing of nasal splints inside and outside of the nose will be advised post-operatively.

Diagnostic suction toilet, grommet insertion, minor ear lesions

Grommet insertion surgery is used to treat the build-up of fluid in the middle ear, which can lead to hearing difficulties and infection. The procedure involves making a small incision in the ear drum, draining the fluid and inserting a tube into the ear to provide prolonged drainage and ventilation to the ear.

Grommet insertion is a day case procedure performed under general anaesthesia.

ENT procedures are available at our Shepton Mallet, Emersons Green, Devizes and Cirencester NHS Treatment Centres.