Posted on

What are the Common ENT Procedures Performed in Singapore?

Are you suffering from an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) concern? If so, know that you are not alone. ENT-related problems are common among the population in Singapore and worldwide. While you may visit a general physician for your condition initially, you would most probably be referred to an ENT specialist for further assessment and evaluation. But who are ENT specialists, what conditions can they treat, and what procedures are commonly carried out by these specialists? If these questions are running across your mind, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide answers to all these questions and more. In addition, if you are looking for a reliable ear specialist or ENT clinic in Singapore, we have you covered!

ENT Specialists: Who Are They and What Conditions Do They Treat? 

These head and neck specialists are also known as otolaryngologists or ENT specialists, and they specialise in diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the ear, nose, and throat, as well as related regions of the head and neck. In addition to treating certain medical conditions, these head and neck doctors perform specific surgical procedures.

Some of the common conditions treated by these head and neck specialists include:

Ear

  • Ear aches
  • Ear infections
  • Tinnitus
  • Hearing loss
  • Vertigo and balance issues

Nose

  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Sinus infections (sinusitis)
  • Nasal congestion or runny nose
  • Breathing issues
  • Anosmia (loss of smell)
  • Snoring
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and other sleeping disorders

Throat

  • Loss of voice or hoarseness
  • Tonsillitis
  • Swallowing difficulty

ENT Surgical Procedures in Singapore

Apart from the conditions mentioned above, some head and neck specialists may also perform various ENT surgical procedures that involve the head and neck region. For instance, at Amandela ENT Head and Neck Center, our ENT specialists perform a range of surgeries, from day surgeries to inpatient surgeries, including complex surgeries.

Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the ENT surgical procedures offered by our ENT clinic in Singapore:

Sinus Surgery

This is a treatment option for those who experience chronic and recurrent sinus infections, nasal polyps (abnormal growths), and those with an abnormal sinus structure. The goal of this surgery is to unblock obstructions and open the sinus passages. There are many kinds of sinus surgery, but the most common type is endoscopic sinus surgery. In this procedure, the specialist will insert an endoscope – a thin tube with a light and camera at one end, into the nasal cavity to help guide them during the surgery. Some specialists may even use balloon sinuplasty, which involves using the endoscope to guide the insertion of a catheter with a balloon at one end to widen the sinus channel.

Turbinate Reduction Surgery

This surgery is offered for individuals who experience chronic nasal obstruction. Turbinates are structures at the sides of the nose which help warm and humidify the air that we breathe in through the nose. These structures can get swollen due to infection or allergies leading to nasal obstruction and congestion. Turbinate reduction surgery, as the name implies, helps reduce the size of turbinates and improves airflow. It can be a simple procedure done under local anaesthesia involving inserting a needle like instrument into the turbinate and using radiofrequency energy to shrink the turbinates. Sometimes, it may be necessary to remove part of the turbinate under general anaesthesia. However, this is not the first line of treatment for nasal obstruction, and the head and neck doctor will only perform this procedure if all other nonsurgical options have not been successful.

Tonsillectomy

If you are someone who experiences tonsillitis often or has chronic tonsillitis, your head and neck specialist may recommend a tonsillectomy, which refers to the removal of the tonsils. Tonsillectomies are usually indicated for patients with recurrent and chronic tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess. Tonsillectomy may sometimes be performed as part of a procedure for  sleep-disordered breathing issues like OSA 

Thyroidectomy

The thyroid gland is an important gland that carries out many critical functions of the body. It plays a significant role in many components, such as hormone regulation, growth and development, metabolism regulation and more. However, if the patient is suffering from conditions such as thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer, the gland (whole or part) may need to be removed, which is referred to as thyroidectomy. This procedure is classified into two broad categories depending on how much thyroid tissue is excised – partial and total thyroidectomy.

During a partial thyroidectomy, only a section of the gland is removed, and this category can be further divided into four subtypes – thyroid lobectomy (removal of a lobe), lobectomy with isthmusectomy (removal of a lobe and isthmus), partial thyroid lobectomy (removal of a portion of the lobe), and subtotal lobectomy. In a subtotal thyroidectomy, a small portion of the gland will be left during the procedure. Total thyroidectomy refers to the removal of the entire thyroid gland and as the patient would not have any thyroid tissue remaining, they would require thyroid hormone supplementation for the rest of their lives.

Furthermore, a surgery known as completion thyroidectomy is carried out to remove the remaining thyroid tissue following a partial thyroidectomy. This intervention may be required for patients who present with a diagnosis of a malignant thyroid tumour after having undergone the primary operation.

In addition to the surgical procedures mentioned above, our medical professionals at Amandela Head and Neck Center treat cancers affecting the head and neck region, such as parotid and salivary gland, as well as tongue cancer treatment and more. If you need more information on these procedures or have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Our practice offers subspecialty care that any patient can trust and rely on. Get in touch with us now!

Posted on

What Should You Do After Parotid Surgery

Parotid glands are the biggest salivary glands that can be found in the upper part of the cheek and toward the front of the ears. The parotid gland secretes saliva, which is crucial for the mastication, swallowing and digestion of foods. Problems can arise when the ducts are obstructed making it difficult for saliva to flow from the parotid gland into your mouth. 

There are several common reasons for the obstruction and they include the presence of salivary gland stones and scar tissue among other causes. However, more severe reasons for the obstruction in the parotid gland include the presence of foreign bodies that enter into the duct or a neoplasm (tumour) which occurs when there is an atypical growth of cells.  

Parotid surgery is a necessary step in removing a part or all of the parotid gland. Our team at Amandela ENT head and neck centre have compiled a short list of postoperative care tips following a parotid surgery. We have also singled out certain warning signs following your parotid surgery that you should take careful note of. 

1. Take Your Required Medication  

Following parotid surgery, our ENT doctors at Amandela ENT head and neck centre may prescribe you with antibiotics. If you have been prescribed antibiotics following parotid surgery ensure that you complete the whole course of antibiotics to reduce the likelihood of any infections developing in the surgical area. Additionally, if your attending doctor prescribes you with pain medication for any discomfort following parotid surgery, take it as advised. 

2. Get Adequate Rest and Avoid Strenuous Activity

Furthermore, you should get enough rest after the parotid surgery. Adequate rest and sleep can hasten the recovery process. We strongly advise patients to refrain from any sort of heavy lifting or strenuous activities during the week after your parotid surgery. This is to ensure that your wound does not open up and begin to bleed again. If you would like to exercise, walking is a good alternative to participating in strenuous activity. 

It is recommended that you ensure that the dressing area around the wound is kept clean and dry while you bathe. Remember to be extra gentle with the surgical wound so that you can avoid disturbing it. Even the slightest disturbance can impede and prolong the recovery process. 

3. Post-Surgery Diet 

In terms of your diet following parotid surgery, you will not be required to adhere to a soft diet. However, in the case that you do find it difficult or painful to swallow food, it is recommended to start off with cool beverages or foods like ice cream. This will greatly ease your discomfort when swallowing foods. You can gradually move onto softer foods like mashed potatoes and porridge. Avoid hard foods that require chewing. A smoothie is a great and nutritious option that can satiate your hunger and which requires little to no chewing. 

4. Caring For The Surgical Area 

The next thing you should consider is care for the surgical area. The doctors at Amandela ENT head and neck centre will advise on the proper care of the surgical area. During the post-op period in the hospital following the parotid surgery, it is quite common to have a drain inserted into the wound to remove excessive fluid build up. The drain will eventually be removed when the fluid buildup remains low. 

Warning Signs To Take Note Of 

As with any surgical procedure, there are certain warning signs to take note of. The first is the onset of an infection. These include symptoms like: 

  • A high fever (body temperature of 38 degree celsius or higher)
  • General feeling of malaise 
  • Inflammation or swelling of the wound area 

Another warning sign to consider is prolonged weakness in the facial nerves. While the nerves that control your facial and mouth movement and sensations may be weakened from surgery, it should not be a permanent effect. It usually lasts for a period of time, but that may fluctuate from person to person. Report to your doctor immediately if the acute weakness in your face occurs after returning home following parotid surgery.  However, rest assured that delayed acute weakness in the facial nerve is extremely rare. 

The final warning sign you should look out for is severe bleeding right after the surgery. While a minimal amount of blood after surgery is completely normal, excessive bleeding is a serious complication that should be brought up to your attending physician.

If you experience any of the aforementioned warning signs, visit the Amandela ENT head and neck centre immediately. If you need urgent care after operating hours, we recommend that you go to the A&E department at your nearest hospital. 

Schedule A Consultation With Our ENT Doctors At Amandela ENT Head and Neck Centre

If you are suffering from painful swelling of the parotid glands due to an obstruction of the ducts, make an appointment with our doctors at Amandela ENT Head and Neck Centre. Our doctors are determined to deliver patient-centric care so that you receive the right help to ease the inflammation and pain. 

While parotid surgery is a necessary process to deal with the obstruction of the duct, it is important for you to follow these post-operative instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. Finally, take note of the aforementioned warning signs following the surgery which could signal certain and severe complications after the procedure. Click here to fix a consultation with our team of ENT doctors at Amandela ENT Head and Neck Centre.