Ear, nose & throat (ENT) surgery

Ear, Nose and Throat (referred to as ‘ENT’) is the area of medicine involved with the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of problems affecting the ear, nose and throat. A doctor who specialises in this area is known as a Consultant ENT Surgeon.

People from across Manchester and the surrounding areas visit the Consultant ENT Surgeons at The Alexandra for help with a number of symptoms, including:

Ears

• Decreased hearing
• Noises in the ears (tinnitus)
• Discharge from the ears
• Dizziness/balance problems
• Blocked ears
• Pain in the ears
• ‘Lumps and bumps’ on the ear
• Perforated eardrums

Nose

• Blocked nose
• Runny nose
• Nosebleeds
• Difficulty breathing through one nostril
• Lack of smell
• Snoring
• Allergies/hay fever
• Facial pain – often caused by recurrent sinus problems
• Nasal trauma

Throat/Neck

• Frequent sore throats
• Tonsilitis -may be recurrent
• Difficulty eating or drinking
• Hoarse voice
• Sensation of something stuck in the throat
• Snoring complaints
• Lump or swelling in the neck
• Swelling of the salivary glands
• Post-nasal drip
• Recurrent ulcers in mouth
• Dry mouth

The Consultant ENT Surgeons at The Alexandra Hospital can provide expert assessment, diagnosis and treatment for any of these concerns. They would be delighted to help you too.

If you’re concerned about possible hearing loss, a hearing test will be arranged for you with an audiologist. Infections in the ear may be treated with eardrops. If it is found that your hearing loss is being caused by glue ear (a build-up of fluid in the middle ear), grommets might be an option. These are tiny plastic tubes that allow fluid to drain from the ear, preventing a build-up of fluid.

Perforated eardrums will usually heal naturally, but if the hole is unusually large, you may an operation known as a myringoplasty, where the ear drum is reconstructed with a skin graft.

Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty can be very helpful for people suffering with frequent or particularly severe popping ears.

Some tonsil problems may be best treated by the surgical removal of the tonsils (a tonsillectomy).

A nasal blockage that keeps occurring or has lasted for a long time may require Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) and/or Nasal Polypectomy (removal of polyps) to resolve. If the nasal blockage is actually being caused by a crooked septum (the septum is the bone and cartilage separating the two nostrils), a Septoplasty to straighten it may help.

ENT Surgeons can carry out a range of operations to treat and correct many disorders and dysfunctions in the ear, nose and throat. Any treatment will always be carefully planned to ensure it is the most appropriate option for you and your specific symptoms.

When you first meet with your Consultant ENT Surgeon, they will take your medical history and ask you to tell them about your symptoms. They will want to know:

• What symptoms you have
• How long you have had these symptoms
• Whether you have tried any treatment(s) already
• Whether any of your symptoms are causing you concern (for example, are you worried that a lump in your neck may be cancerous?)

Your Consultant will carry out a clinical examination of the affected area(s) and may use handheld instruments to help with diagnosis.

Many nose and throat conditions are most easily investigated with an endoscopy. An endoscope is a small, thin tube with a camera and light at one end. It is usually connected to a video screen and transmits a real time video feed to it. A nasal/throat endoscopy involves passing the endoscope up your nose and around into the back of your throat. As the endoscope is moved along, your Consultant looks carefully for any abnormalities, such as a blockage, lump or swelling.

Further investigations may sometimes be required. The comprehensive state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities at The Alexandra Hospital include X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound, and any of these can be easily and quickly arranged for you when needed.

For some symptoms or conditions, a biopsy (removal of a sample of tissue that is then sent away for investigation) may be needed. Depending on the location of the area to be biopsied, this may be carried out under ultrasound guidance.

Once any results are back your Consultant will discuss them with you and explain suitable treatment options to you. Treatments for ENT conditions may include:

• Watchful waiting
• Medication
• Surgery

The results of any treatment will always be carefully monitored, and treatment can be easily adjusted if needed.

People living in and around Manchester visit the Consultant ENT Surgeons at The Alexandra Hospital for a number of reasons. Many are referred by their GP, a consultant in another speciality or their private medical insurance provider. Others are recommended to us by a friend or family member. A doctor’s referral can be useful, but you can also self-refer to avoid delay.

Having your ENT treatment at The Alexandra Hospital provides you with a number of benefits:

• Expert Assessments ASAP – Many ear, nose and throat conditions are more easily treated when they are discovered at the earliest possible stage. This highlights the need for prompt assessment and diagnosis. If you have any symptoms in your ear, nose or throat that are pronounced enough to be causing you concern, you’ll appreciate being able to get expert help as quickly as possible. By getting assessment earlier, you’ll be able to get started with any treatment sooner.
• Rapid access to treatment – For your convenience, some minor procedures, such as a nasal or throat endoscopy, may be done on the same day as your initial consultation.
• Convenient appointments – With appointments available throughout the week, it is easy to find a time that fits your availability. While most ENT consultations are done in person at The Alexandra Hospital, remote consultations are available by telephone or video call if required (and where clinically appropriate).
• Personal care – We believe in a bespoke approach to ENT treatment and your Consultant will carefully tailor any necessary treatment to your specific needs. Reviews at appropriate intervals help to ensure you continue to receive the best treatment option for you at all times.
• A Multidisciplinary Approach – Your Consultant ENT Surgeon is expertly supported by a wider healthcare team, including nurses, anaesthetists, dermatologists and radiologists. This multidisciplinary team approach to treatment ensures you will always receive help from the most suitable specialist for your particular needs at all times.
• Access to Allied specialties – both Speech Therapy and Audiology also work very closely with ENT. At The Alexandra Hospital, these Allied specialities provide a diagnostic service, therapy and even hearing aids.
• Recommended by patients– In an independent survey, 97.3% of people we treated said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to their friends and family. While we’re very grateful for this feedback, we don’t take it for granted and continue to focus on delivering the highest standard of care and support to everyone we treat.

If you find yourself worried or concerned about any ear, nose or throat symptoms, why not book a consultation with an ENT specialist at The Alexandra Hospital? For peace of mind and known expert care, book your ENT appointment online now.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Alexandra Hospital soon.