Ear, nose & throat (ENT) surgery

Ear, Nose and Throat (often called ENT) is the area of medicine that looks after problems affecting the ears, nose, throat, and related parts of the head and neck. The specialists in this field are called Consultant ENT Surgeons.

People from Manchester and the surrounding areas come to see our ENT consultants at The Alexandra with a wide variety of concerns. Some of the most common include: 

Ears

• Hearing loss or reduced hearing 
• Ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears (tinnitus)
• Ear infections or discharge 
• Dizziness and balance difficulties
• Blocked  or "full" ears
• Ear pain
• Lumps and bumps, or changes on the ear 
• Prominent ears 
• Burst or perforated eardrums

Nose

• Blocked or stuffy nose
• Constant runny nose 
• Nosebleeds
• Trouble breathing through one nostril
• Loss of sense of smell
• Snoring
• Allergies or hay fever
• Ongoing sinus pain or pressure
• Injuries or trauma to the nose 

Throat/Neck

• Frequent sore throats
• Recurrent tonsillitis
• Difficulty swallowing food or drink
• Hoarse or weak voice (including support for professional singers)
• Feeling like there’s something stuck in your throat
• Snoring or sleep-related breathing issues
• Lumps or swellings in the neck
• Swelling of the salivary glands
• Constant need to clear your throat or post-nasal drip
• Recurring mouth ulcers
• Persistent dry mouth

At The Alexandra Hospital, our ENT consultants are here to listen to your concerns, carry out any necessary tests, and provide expert treatment that’s tailored to you. Whether it’s helping a child with prominent ears, assessing a worrying neck lump, supporting a professional singer with their voice, or offering specialist rhinology care for ongoing sinus problems such as sinusitis, our team is here to provide the care and reassurance you need. 

At The Alexandra Hospital, our ENT specialists offer a wide range of treatments and surgical options, from simple procedures to advanced operations. Every treatment is carefully tailored to your needs, ensuring the safest and most effective care.

Ear treatments and surgery

• If you’re worried about hearing loss, a hearing test can be arranged with one of our audiologists.
• Ear infections are often treated with eardrops, but more persistent problems may need specialist care.
• If hearing loss is caused by glue ear (a build-up of fluid in the middle ear), grommets (tiny plastic tubes) can be inserted to drain fluid and restore hearing.
• Perforated eardrums usually heal naturally, but larger holes may require a myringoplasty, where the eardrum is repaired using a small skin graft.
• Ongoing problems with “popping” or blocked ears may be helped by a Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty.
• Cosmetic or functional concerns such as prominent ears can be corrected with ear reshaping surgery (otoplasty).
• For patients with severe or profound hearing loss, cochlear implants may be an option, providing access to sound where hearing aids are no longer effective.

Nose and sinus surgery

• Long-lasting or severe nasal blockage may require Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) to clear the sinuses, or a Nasal Polypectomy to remove polyps.
• If nasal blockage is caused by a deviated septum (crooked partition between the nostrils), a Septoplasty can help by straightening it.
• For chronic sinus problems, our rhinology specialists can also offer balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive way to gently widen the sinus passages.

Throat and neck surgery

• Recurrent tonsillitis can be treated with a tonsillectomy, including modern coblation tonsil surgery, which removes tonsils with less bleeding and quicker recovery.
• Swellings or lumps in the neck, including those affecting the salivary glands, can often be removed if necessary.
• Patients with voice concerns, including professional singers, may benefit from procedures to protect or restore vocal cord function.
• For cancers of the throat, robotic-assisted surgery can be used to remove tumours with great precision, reducing the impact on surrounding healthy tissue

Thyroid surgery

• Surgery may be recommended for suspicious thyroid nodules, where there is concern about cancer.
• It can also be offered for patients with thyroid dysfunction (overactive or underactive thyroid) when medical treatment is not suitable.
• For those with an enlarging goitre (swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck), surgery can relieve pressure, improve appearance, and prevent complications.

Children's ENT care 

We are proud to offer ENT care for children of all ages, providing both diagnosis and treatment in a child-friendly environment. Surgery is available for children aged 3 and over. Common procedures include:

• Grommets for glue ear and hearing problems 
• Tonsillectomy, including bloodless coblation tonsil surgery for quicker recovery and less discomfort 
• Adenoidectomy (removal of adenoids) for children with repeated infections or breathing issues 
• Ear reshaping surgery (otoplasty) for prominent ears 
• Specialist care for children with sinus problems, snoring or other ENT concerns

We understand that many people can feel a little anxious about ENT examinations, but our consultants will always explain each step clearly and make sure you are comfortable throughout your visit.

When you first meet your Consultant ENT Surgeon at The Alexandra, they will take the time to listen carefully and understand your concerns. They will ask about:

• The symptoms you are experiencing
• How long you have had them
• Any treatments you may have already tried
• Whether you are worried about specific issues (for example, if you are concerned that a neck lump could be cancerous)

Your consultant will then carry out a gentle examination of the affected area. They may use small handheld instruments to look more closely and, in many cases, may recommend an endoscopy. 

An endoscopy uses a very thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end. This is passed through the nose and into the back of the throat, allowing your consultant to see a clear, real-time image on a video screen. This helps them look for anything unusual, such as a blockage, lump, swelling, or other changes that may explain your symptoms.

Sometimes, additional tests are helpful to get a complete picture. At The Alexandra Hospital, we have state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities, including X-ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound. These can be arranged quickly and conveniently on site. If needed, your consultant may also take a biopsy (a small tissue sample) for further analysis. In some cases, this is carried out under ultrasound guidance for extra precision.

Once the results are available, your consultant will go through them with you carefully and explain the next steps. Treatment options may include:

• Watchful waiting – monitoring your symptoms closely over time
• Medication – such as antibiotics, sprays, or other prescribed treatments
• Surgery – if this is the most effective solution for your condition

Whatever treatment is recommended, your progress will always be closely monitored, and you care plan can be adjusted as needed. 

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.