Ear, nose, throat (ENT), and sinus surgery, along with otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, are performed by compassionate, dedicated, and skilled ENT surgeons at the Bayou Region Surgery Center (BRSC) in Thibodaux. Our surgeons are extensively trained to treat the full range of medical conditions and/or disorders involving the head and neck. The team of ENT surgeons at BRSC include certified professionals who specialize in many various areas within the otolaryngology field of surgery including:
- Chronic ear disease or infections
- Nasal and sinus disorders
- Pediatric otolaryngology
- Thyroid and parathyroid diseases
- Nasal fractures
The ENT specialists at BRSC have a keen understanding of the complexities involved with head and neck anatomy. When conservative (non-surgical) ENT treatments are not successful or the condition requires more extensive treatment, BRSC offers a wide range of surgical options, many of which are minimally invasive, such as endoscopic.
Common pediatric and adult conditions include:
- Tonsillitis: Chronic sore throats or infections such as strep throat can be treated with tonsillectomy (removal of the lymph tissue/tonsils).
- Adenoid hypertrophy: Enlarged or frequently infected adenoids (lymph tissue at the back of the nose) can be removed by performing an adenoidectomy, whichis frequently performed in conjunction with a tonsillectomy.
- Eardrum perforations: A perforation, or hole, in the eardrum can occur due to ear infections, injury, cysts, or Eustachian tube problems. Perforated eardrums can cause pain, ear drainage, and hearing loss. Eardrum repair involves a surgical procedure called tympanoplasty, or in more chronic cases a tympanomastoidectomy.
- Recurrent ear infections/otis media: For chronic ear infections (usually in infants or toddlers), a tympanostomy outpatient procedure (ear tubes) can be performed to allow air to enter the ears which prevents infections and improves hearing.
- Otosclerosis: When the bones in the ear do not function properly due to abnormal growth, the result can be conductive hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or vertigo. A stapedectomy can be performed to treat such hearing loss.
- Deviated nasal septum: Nasal obstruction and/or difficulty breathing can be caused by cartilage inside the nose bending or creasing. A septoplasty procedure is performed to correct a deviated septum.
- Chronic sinusitis: Endoscopic sinus surgery is performed at BRSC to alleviate symptoms of chronic sinusitis when conservative allergy treatments are not successful.
- Turbinate hypertrophy: Enlarged turbinates that obstruct the nasal airway may require turbinate reduction surgery which is often performed in conjunction with a septoplasty or other endoscopic sinus surgery.
- Nasal polyps: Benign growths (polyps) can result from allergic rhinitis or recurring sinus infections. If polyps cause nasal obstruction or affect the sense of smell, minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery can be utilized for removal.
- Snoring/sleep apnea: Several procedures are available (tonsillectomy, uvulectomy, hyoid suspension, or radiofrequency tongue base surgery) to treat chronic snoringand/or sleep apnea, depending on the cause of the problem.
- Vocal cord lesions: A direct laryngoscopy or microlaryngoscopy can be performed to biopsy or remove growths on the vocal cords.
- Vocal cord paralysis: Paralyzed vocal cords can be treated during laryngoscopy or in more severe cases, with vocal cord implants (laryngoplasty).
- Neck masses: Needle biopsy, neck dissection, excisional biopsy (superficial or deep), parotidectomy, or submandibular gland excision may be utilized to diagnose and/or treat a neck mass.
- Thyroid disorders: For large or problematic thyroid nodules or goiters, a thyroidectomy may be necessary. Depending on the thyroid problems occurring, thyroid surgery may include total or partial removal of the thyroid.
- Parathyroid gland disorders: Disorders affecting the parathyroid gland can be successfully treated by removing the parathyroid gland (parathyroidectomy).
Common ENT Surgeries
Ear procedures:
- Tympanostomy (placing of ear tubes)
- Tympanoplasty (eardrum repair)
- Tympanomastoidectomy (removal of damaged eardrum tissue with eardrum repair)
- Myringoplasty (skin graft to repair a hole in the eardrum)
- Stapedectomy (removal of all or part of the stapes bone in the ear to improve hearing)
Nasal and sinus procedures:
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (minimally invasive procedure used to treat various sinus problems)
- Septoplasty (for deviated septum)
- Septoplasty with turbinate reduction
- Rhinoplasty (reshaping of the nose)
- Adenoidectomy (adenoid removal)
- Nasal valve reconstruction (reinforcement of the cartilage on the sides of the nose)
- Nasal fracture reduction (closed or open)
Throat procedures:
- Tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils)
- Tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy aka T&A (removal of tonsils and adenoids)
- Tongue radiofrequency (treatment of the tongue base to reduce sleep apnea symptoms)
Larynx procedures:
- Esophagoscopy (endoscopy of the esophagus)
- Laryngoscopy (diagnostic scope of the throat to examine the larynx, vocal cords and nearby structures)
- Microlaryngoscopy (vocal fold surgery under general anesthesia)
- Laryngoplasty (injection to treat vocal cord paralysis)
Neck procedures:
- Lymph node biopsy (removal of lymph node tissue for examination)
- Excisional biopsy (superficial or deep)
- Submandibular gland excision (removal of a saliva gland)
- Parotidectomy (removal of the parotid gland)
Thyroid and parathyroid procedures:
- Thyroid lobectomy (one of the thyroid lobes is removed)
- Thyroidectomy (partial or total removal of the thyroid)
- Parathyroidectomy (removal of one or more of the four parathyroid glands)
Bayou Region Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center offering advanced, innovative, and compassionate outpatient care. Our ENT surgical staff has extensive training, experience, and skill in diagnosing and treating all manners of ENT, sinus, and otolaryngology-head and neck surgical procedures.
Disclaimer: These pages are not intended to provide medical or surgical advice or physician instruction on medical care or treatment. If you are a patient, consult with your doctor about treatment options that may be appropriate for your medical condition.