Patient Education & Procedures
At ENTaura, we believe that informed patients make better health decisions. Our Patient Education section is designed to help you understand common ENT procedures in a simple and reliable way. From Ear to Nose to Throat, our goal is to provide clear guidance that helps you feel more confident, aware, and involved in your healthcare journey.
1. Stapedectomy
Indications: Conductive hearing loss caused by otosclerosis, where the stapes bone becomes fixed.
Preoperative steps: Comprehensive audiometry tests, CT scan of the temporal bone, and middle ear assessment.
What is the procedure: Microsurgery where the fixed stapes is removed and replaced with a high-precision artificial piston to restore hearing.
Post operative care: Avoid blowing nose, prevent water entry into the ear, and avoid strenuous physical activity for 3 weeks.
What to expect: Gradual restoration of hearing levels, with final results stabilizing within 4 to 6 weeks.
2. Myringoplasty
Indications: Small to medium-sized perforations of the eardrum causing recurrent ear discharge.
Preoperative steps: Ear cleaning under microscope, audiometry, and assessment of eustachian tube function.
What is the procedure: A surgical repair of the eardrum hole using a small graft taken from the patient's own tissue.
Post operative care: Follow-up cleaning of the ear canal, strict adherence to antibiotic ear drops, and keeping the ear dry.
What to expect: Closure of the perforation and prevention of future ear infections.
3. Tympanoplasty
Indications: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) with eardrum perforation and ossicular damage.
Preoperative steps: Hearing tests and imaging to define the extent of middle ear disease.
What is the procedure: Comprehensive reconstruction of the eardrum and sometimes the hearing bones (ossicles).
Post operative care: Head elevation, avoiding water, and specific medications to manage healing.
What to expect: Improved hearing clarity and a permanently dry, infection-free middle ear space.
4. Mastoidectomy
Indications: Cholesteatoma (unsafe ear disease), chronic mastoiditis, or as part of cochlear implant access.
Preoperative steps: HRCT scan of the temporal bone to map the anatomy and disease spread.
What is the procedure: Surgical exploration and removal of infected bone or cholesteatoma from the mastoid air cells behind the ear.
Post operative care: Regular mastoid cavity cleaning in the clinic and monitoring for drainage.
What to expect: Elimination of unsafe middle ear disease and prevention of serious complications.
5. Ossiculoplasty
Indications: Discontinuity or fixation of the middle ear hearing bones (ossicles).
Preoperative steps: Detailed audiometry and possibly imaging to evaluate the ossicular chain.
What is the procedure: Rebuilding the hearing chain using tiny titanium prostheses or bone grafts.
Post operative care: Avoiding sudden pressure changes (e.g., flight) and heavy lifting.
What to expect: Restoration of efficient sound transmission and significant hearing improvement.
6. Cochlear Implant
Indications: Severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss where hearing aids provide no benefit.
Preoperative steps: MRI and CT of the inner ear, speech evaluation, and specific counseling.
What is the procedure: Insertion of an electronic device that directly stimulates the auditory nerve.
Post operative care: Wound care for 10 days, followed by external processor activation and mapping.
What to expect: Recovery of sound perception and gradual speech understanding through therapy.
7. Septoplasty
Indications: Deviated septum causing nasal obstruction, snoring, or associated sinus issues.
Preoperative steps: Diagnostic nasal endoscopy and physical assessment of the airway.
What is the procedure: Straightening the nasal septum midline to balance the nasal passage.
Post operative care: Use of nasal saline drops, avoiding nose blowing, and resting with head up.
What to expect: Improved nasal breathing and relief from chronic obstruction within 4 weeks.
8. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
Indications: Chronic sinusitis, nasal polyposis, or recurring fungal sinus infections.
Preoperative steps: CT scan of the paranasal sinuses and baseline nasal endoscopy.
What is the procedure: Minimally invasive surgery using endoscopes to clear blocked sinus openings.
Post operative care: Regular saline douches and follow-up nasal cleaning in the clinic.
What to expect: Reduction in sinus pressure, improved drainage, and fewer sinus infections.
9. Rhinoplasty
Indications: Aesthetic nose reshaping or functional correction of structural defects.
Preoperative steps: Facial photography, clinical nasal analysis, and aesthetic matching.
What is the procedure: Surgical modification of the nasal bone and cartilage to improve form or function.
Post operative care: Use of a nasal splint, avoiding glasses for a few weeks, and gentle face washing.
What to expect: Swelling subsides gradually, with final aesthetic results visible after 6-12 months.
10. Endoscopic DCR
Indications: Chronic watering of eyes due to blockage in the tear drainage system.
Preoperative steps: Ophthalmologist review and nasal endoscopic check.
What is the procedure: Opening a new pathway for tears into the nose using purely endoscopic techniques.
Post operative care: Avoiding nose blowing and using specific nasal and eye medications.
What to expect: Immediate relief from eye watering and associated inflammatory symptoms.
11. Turbinoplasty
Indications: Chronic nasal congestion caused by enlargement of the inferior turbinates.
Preoperative steps: Nasal decongestant test and clinical assessment of nasal airflow.
What is the procedure: Reducing the size of the turbinate bone or tissue while preserving function.
Post operative care: Nasal saline rinses and avoiding environments with dust or smoke.
What to expect: Significant improvement in nasal breathing and reduced feeling of stuffiness.
12. CSF Leak Repair
Indications: Cerebrospinal fluid dripping from the nose due to a skull base defect.
Preoperative steps: Beta-2 transferrin test, HRCT, and MRI to locate the specific defect.
What is the procedure: Endoscopic repair using grafts to seal the leakage point at the skull base.
Post operative care: Strict bed rest, avoidance of straining, and monitoring for temperature or headache.
What to expect: Successful seal of the leak and prevention of serious infections like meningitis.
13. Tonsillectomy
Indications: Recurrent throat infections or Enlarged tonsils causing sleep issues.
Preoperative steps: Physical examination and baseline blood investigations.
What is the procedure: Surgical removal of the palatine tonsils under general anesthesia.
Post operative care: Cold liquid diet for several days, followed by soft bland foods; avoid spicy foods.
What to expect: Significant reduction in frequency and severity of throat infections.
14. Adenoidectomy
Indications: Enlarged adenoids causing mouth breathing, snoring, or chronic ear infections in children.
Preoperative steps: Clinical history and x-ray or endoscopic assessment of the nasopharynx.
What is the procedure: Removal of the adenoid tissue behind the nasal cavity.
Post operative care: Soft diet and monitoring for fluid intake and general recovery.
What to expect: Resolution of mouth breathing and improved overall nasal airflow.
15. Microlaryngeal Surgery (MLS)
Indications: Vocal cord polyps, nodules, or suspected cancers causing hoarseness.
Preoperative steps: Stroboscopy or videolaryngoscopy to evaluate vocal fold function.
What is the procedure: Microscopic surgery to remove precisely the vocal fold lesions while preserving voice.
Post operative care: Strict voice rest (no speaking) for 3-7 days as advised.
What to expect: Significant improvement in voice quality and reduction in hoarseness.
16. Thyroidectomy
Indications: Goiter, thyroid nodules, or thyroid cancer.
Preoperative steps: Thyroid function tests (TFTs), Ultrasound, and FNAC biopsy of the nodule.
What is the procedure: Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland in the neck.
Post operative care: Monitoring calcium levels and voice status; monitoring for hematoma.
What to expect: Elimination of the thyroid lesion; some may require lifelong metabolic support.
17. Parotidectomy
Indications: Tumors of the parotid salivary gland (usually benign pleomorphic adenomas).
Preoperative steps: MRI of the face/neck and FNAC to characterize the tumor type.
What is the procedure: Removal of the gland with careful identification and preservation of the facial nerve.
Post operative care: Monitoring for facial symmetry and wound drainage management.
What to expect: Removal of the lump with protection of facial animation functions.
18. Submandibular Gland Excision
Indications: Sialadenitis or stones in the submandibular gland causing pain and swelling.
Preoperative steps: Ultrasound and clinical evaluation to check for sialolithiasis.
What is the procedure: Surgical excision of the gland via an external neck incision beneath the jaw.
Post operative care: Monitoring for swelling and scheduled follow-up for wound assessment.
What to expect: Resolution of painful gland swelling and removal of any associated stones.
19. Thyroglossal Cyst Excision (Sistrunk’s Procedure)
Indications: Midline neck mass from persistent thyroglossal duct, risk of infection or malignancy.
Preoperative steps: Ultrasound or CT, Thyroid function tests, and anesthesia fitness.
What is the procedure: Removal of the cyst, the duct tract, and the central part of the hyoid bone to prevent recurrence.
Post operative care: Monitoring for neck swelling, soft diet, and follow-up for stitch removal.
What to expect: Permanent resolution of the midline mass with minimal risk of the cyst returning.
20. Neck Dissection
Indications: Spread of cancer cells to the lymph nodes in the neck.
Preoperative steps: Comprehensive PET-CT or Contrast CT to identify node levels.
What is the procedure: Selective or radical removal of lymph node groups to control the spread of disease.
Post operative care: Physical therapy for the shoulder and careful neck drain monitoring.
What to expect: Surgical control of local disease and improved prognosis for head and neck oncology.