Ear, nose and throat surgery (ENT surgery)

Ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery, also known as otolaryngology or otorhinolaryngology, is the area of medicine that concerns conditions of the head and neck, in particular the ears, nose and throat. ENT surgeons - also known as otolaryngologists - diagnose, treat and manage problems with your ears, nose or throat.

Common problems that fall under ENT include hearing and balance issues, and problems in your head and neck that affect breathing, eating or speech. ENT surgeons can treat patients with cancer in this area of the body and they might also perform plastic and reconstructive surgery too.

Many ENT surgeons will have a particular interest in a subspecialty, and so as well as consultant ENT surgeons our team includes head and neck surgeons, consultant rhinologists, consultant laryngologists and more.

It is very common for ENT surgeons to work as physicians too, and our specialists can help you not just with surgical procedures but also with the ongoing management and treatment of your condition without surgery.

At Circle Health Group, you can either pay directly for ENT surgery, or you can use your private health insurance.

If you are paying for your own treatment, you can take advantage of our flexible payment options, which allow you to spread the cost of treatment over a fixed period. Many people find the monthly payments more affordable.

If you want to use your insurance to pay, speak directly to your provider to see if the treatment you need is covered by your policy. We work with all major insurers.

ENT as a specialty covers a really wide range of conditions and operations. Some of the most common reasons for visiting an ENT specialist include:

• Hearing and balance problems
• Issues with smell and taste
• Chronic sinusitis or ear infections
• Perforated ear drums
• Breathing problems
• Recurring tonsillitis
• Thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism)
• Damage to the ears, nose or throat
• A deviated septum
• Head and neck tumours
• Cancers of the mouth or throat

Some of the most common ENT surgery procedures performed by our specialists include:

Tonsillectomy

Your tonsils are part of a group of lymphoid tissues (like the glands in your neck) that help to fight off infection from germs that you either breathe in or swallow. When they get infected, tonsillitis occurs.

If tonsillitis keeps coming back, then surgery to remove your tonsils is recommended, as it is the only dependable way to stop recurring infections.

The operation to remove your tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. It is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes around 30 minutes.

Thyroidectomy

Your thyroid gland is a structure in your neck that produces a hormone called thyroxine, which regulates your body's metabolism. If you have an overactive thyroid gland, it produces too many hormones, causing a conditioned named thyrotoxicosis.

A thyroidectomy to remove the gland is one of the ways thyrotoxicosis can be treated. Your ENT surgeon will remove your thyroid gland, and your body will stop producing thyroid hormones. This should treat any distressing symptoms.

Deviated septum surgery (septoplasty)

The septum is the cartilage and bone inside your nose that separates your nostrils. If it is bent, it can feel like your nose is blocked, causing discomfort and difficulty sleeping. Septoplasty, or deviated septum surgery, is surgery to straighten your septum, and takes around 45 minutes. This should alleviate your symptoms and make your nose feel less blocked.

Myringoplasty

If you have a serious infection or have perforated your eardrum, your doctor may suggest myringoplasty. A myringoplasty is an operation to repair the hole in your eardrum using a tissue graft to cover the damage.

This type of surgery should help lower your risk of repeated ear infections, and your sense of hearing may improve too. It usually takes between one hour and 90 minutes.

Septorhinoplasty (nose job)

A septorhinoplasty is an operation to change how your nose looks (rhinoplasty) and to improve how you breathe through your nose (septoplasty).

Most people who have a successful septorhinoplasty are more comfortable with their appearance afterwards. The operation is almost always performed under a general anaesthetic, and it usually takes between one and two hours to complete.

Laryngoscopy and pharyngoscopy

A laryngoscopy is a quick procedure to look at your voice box (larynx) using a rigid telescope. If your doctor is concerned that you may have a problem in your larynx, this is a good way of find out. This type of procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes around 30 minutes.

If your surgeon does find a problem, they can perform biopsies (removing small pieces of tissue) to help make the diagnosis, and sometimes minor treatments can be performed at the same time.

The first step to access private ENT treatment with us is usually to arrange an appointment with one of our specialists. They will be able to assess and diagnose your condition and talk you through the available treatment options, and together you'll decide on the best route for you.

To book your initial consultation, call our dedicated team of advisors, or take advantage of our easy online booking system.

When you go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• A range of delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about ENT surgery or any other treatment, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in April 2023. Next review due April 2026.

1. Ear, nose & throat (ENT), Royal College of Surgeons of England
2. 8 reasons to visit an ENT specialist, Mayo Clinic
3. Otorhinolaryngology, NHS