Otolaryngology, or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) medicine, is a specialized field that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions affecting these critical sensory and communication organs.
Common types of ear surgery
When cared for by skilled ENT specialists, surgery can significantly improve quality of life, allowing patients to breathe, hear, speak, and swallow more comfortably. Common ear procedures med by ENTS include:
- Ear tubes (tympanostomy): A procedure for recurrent ear infections or fluid accumulation. Tiny tubes are inserted into the eardrum to drain excess fluids and prevent further infections.
- Myringoplasty: This procedure repairs a perforated eardrum caused by trauma, infection, or injury. It restores the eardrum's function, improving hearing and preventing complications.
- Tympanoplasty: A surgical repair of the eardrum and the middle ear's small bones. It treats chronic ear infections, injuries, and other middle ear problems, restoring hearing and alleviating discomfort.
- Tympanoplasty with ossicular reconstruction: When both the eardrum and ossicles need repair, this complex procedure is performed to restore hearing and sound transmission.
- Tympanomastoidectomy: This procedure addresses severe ear infections that have spread to the mastoid bone. Infected tissue and drainage pathways are removed to prevent complications and preserve hearing.
- Tympanomastoidectomy with ossicular reconstruction: In cases where mastoid involvement and ossicular damage are present, this comprehensive procedure addresses the infection and mastoid bone issues and restores the functionality of the middle ear.
- Stapedectomy: A specialized procedure that targets hearing loss due to otosclerosis. The stapes bone is removed and replaced with a prosthetic implant, effectively treating conductive hearing loss.