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!