Head & Neck Surgery
The board-certified physicians of ENT & Allergy Center of Austin are trained and experienced in the medical and surgical management of many different ear, nose, throat, and allergy conditions, including those of the head and neck.
Conditions that can affect the head and neck include:
- Bell’s palsy
- Head and neck cancer
- Nasal air obstruction (NAO)
- Skin cancer
- Sinus infections
- Sports injuries to the face
- Sleep apnea and snoring
- Thyroid disorders
- Trauma
We treat adults and children for these and many other head and neck conditions.
Surgeries and some minimally invasive procedures we use to diagnose and treat conditions of the head and neck plus ENT disorders include:
- Myringotomy – Inserting tubes into the eardrums to help prevent fluid buildup in the middle ear; ideal for anyone susceptible to chronic ear infections. Effects last approximately 12 months before the tubes fall out of the ears on their own.
- Myringoplasty – Patching a perforated eardrum by plugging smaller-sized ruptures with special material.
- Tympanoplasty – Patching a perforated eardrum using a graft from the patient. This is typically used for larger eardrum ruptures.
- Balloon Sinuplasty – Using a catheter inserted through the nostrils and guided to a blocked nasal passageway to gently widen blocked nasal or sinus passageways by inflating a tiny balloon in the area. This minimally invasive procedure involves no cutting of tissue and is ideal for patients who are unable to undergo more traditional forms of surgery.
- Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) –Using an endoscope guided through the nostrils to the sinus cavities to remove blockages and improve mucus drainage.
- Latera® Nasal Implant – Keeping airways open with a device that supports nasal wall cartilage and stays in place for about 18 months before naturally being absorbed into the body.
- Nasal Polypectomy – Removing nasal polyps, common noncancerous growths that line the nose or sinuses that can block airflow and mucus drainage from nasal passageways.
- Propel® Sinus Stent – Keeping sinuses open with a spring-like implant that also dispenses controlled amounts of medication to the area to improve healing after surgery. It stays in place for 4-6 weeks and then is absorbed into the body.
- Septoplasty – Correcting a deviated nasal septum (the wall between the nostrils) to relieve nasal airway obstruction and improve breathing.
- Turbinate Reduction – Reducing the size of turbinates (ridges of tissue on inside nostril walls) to correct nasal airway obstruction. When enlarged, turbinates can block breathing through the nose.
- Microlaryngoscopy with Biopsy – Assessing the condition of the vocal cords with an endoscope as part of voice care. This minimally invasive procedure often includes removal of a mass, swelling, or tumor.
- Neck Dissections and Mass Excisions – Removing tumors, lymph nodes, or cysts from the neck.
- Parathyroidectomy – Removing one or more of the parathyroid glands, which produce a hormone (parathyroid hormone or PTH) that helps to regulate calcium within the body. This procedure is done to treat hyperparathyroidism.
- Parotidectomy – Removing one or more of the parotid glands that produce saliva and are located in the cheeks of the mouth, just below the ears. This surgery may be performed when the glands are swollen, blocked, or contain suspicious lumps.
- Thyroidectomy – Removing the thyroid gland, which helps to regulate metabolism and is located in the front, lower area of the neck. Typically performed to remove tumors, or when an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) interferes with swallowing or breathing.
- Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy – Removing enlarged or problematic tonsils and adenoids; most often done for children subject to repeated tonsillitis.
- Tracheostomy – Creating an opening in the windpipe to bypass a blocked airway. It is used to cure obstructive sleep apnea.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP or UP3) – Removing tissue at the back of the throat to enlarge the airway; commonly used to treat sleep apnea in adults.
For more information about some of the surgical procedures we perform, including post-op instructions, browse our Patient Forms page.
Should you need head or neck surgery, you’ll be in good hands with the pros at ENT & Allergy Center of Austin. Call (512) 328-7722 or use our convenient online appointment request form to discuss your healthcare options with one of our surgeons. We are conveniently located in Westlake, Cedar Park, and Round Rock, Texas.
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