Procedures

We perform a number of different ear, nose, throat, neck and sleep procedures at Albany ENT & Allergy Services. Some are completed in the offices while others must be performed in the Surgery Center.

Ear

In the Office

• Cerumen (Ear Wax) Removal
• Ear Tubes (Myringotomy and Tympanostomy Tube)[1]
• Transtympanic Injections

In the Surgery Center

• Ear Tubes (Myringotomy and Tympanostomy Tube)
• Middle Ear Surgeries (Mastoidectomy, Tympanoplasty, Stapedectomy)
• Cochlear Implant Surgery

Nose

In the Office

• Nosebleed Treatment (cautery)
• Nasal Foreign Body Removal
• Nasal, Sinus and Nasopharyngeal Endoscopy
• Balloon Sinus Dilation[2]
• Turbinate Reduction[3]
• Endoscopic Sinus Surgery[4]
• Nasal Polypectomy[5]
• Septoplasty
• Absorbable Nasal Valve Implant Placement (Latera)
• Cryotherapy Treatment of Chronic Rhinitis (Clarifix)
• Placement of Steroid Delivering Nasal Medications (Propel, Sinuva)

In the Surgery Center

• Nosebleed Treatment (cautery)
• Nasal Foreign Body Removal
• Nasal Fracture Repair (Closed Reduction)[6]
• Balloon Sinus Dilation[7]
• Turbinate Reduction[8]
• Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)[9]
• Nasal Polypectomy[10]
• Septoplasty and Septo-Rhinoplasty[11]

Throat/Mouth/Voice/Swallowing

In the Office

• Flexible Transnasal Laryngoscopy
• Flexible Transnasal and Rigid Transoral Videostroboscopy
• Transcutaneous Injections into the Larynx
• Biopsy of oral and oropharyngeal lesions[12]
• Removal of salivary gland stones

In the Surgery Center

• Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy[13]
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
• Direct Laryngoscopy and Biopsy
• Microscopic Laryngeal Surgery[14]
• Vocal Cord Injection

Sleep Surgery

In the Office

• Turbinate Reduction

In the Surgery Center

• Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction
• Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)[15]
• Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Surgery (Inspire)

Neck Surgery

In the Office

• Fine Needle Biopsy of Neck Mass[16]
• Biopsy and Excision of Skin Lesions

In the Surgery Center

• Parotid Surgery[17]
• Submandibular Gland Surgery
• Thyroid Surgery[18]
• Parathyroid Surgery
• Removal of Neck Mass or Abnormal Lymph Nodes

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[1] Many children and some adults get middle ear infections known as otitis media.  Although most can be treated with medication, in certain situations your otolaryngologist may recommend ear tube surgery called bilateral myringotomy and tubes (BMT). During this surgery, an incision is made in the ear drum, any fluid present is drained, and small tubes called tympanostomy tubes are placed in the eardrums to ventilate the area behind the ear drum, or the middle ear space.  Ear tubes are sometimes called tympanostomy tubes, myringotomy tubes, ventilation tubes or PE (pressure equalization) tubes. There are two basic types of ear tubes: short term and long term. Short term tubes are smaller and typically stay in place for six months to one year prior to falling out on their own. Long term tubes are larger with a flange to secure them in place for a more prolonged period of time. In most cases, over time, the tympanic membrane pushes the ear tube out and the hole in the eardrum closes on its own.

[2] In-office balloon sinus dilation is a minimally invasive treatment option for chronic or recurrent sinus infections that can be performed conveniently at Albany ENT & Allergy Services’ office. The goal of balloon sinus dilation is to reshape anatomy to expand sinus pathways and restore drainage. The benefits of office sinus dilation include instant and lasting relief via a convenient, comfortable office procedure.  Most patients return to normal activity within 24 hours

[3] Nasal obstruction that fluctuates throughout the day, or moves from one side to another may be related to turbinate hypertrophy.  When medical management of this problem has failed, your doctor may recommend a procedure known as turbinate reduction to reduce the size of the enlarged turbinate and improve nasal breathing.  This procedure can be performed in the office under local anesthesia or in the surgery center.

[4] When antibiotics and medical management are not effective in addressing chronic or recurrent sinus infections, s, sinus surgery may be recommended to enlarge the natural opening to the sinuses. The procedure involves removal of areas of sinus obstruction resulting in improved drainage and administration of topical medication.  Sometimes sinus surgery may require simultaneous repair of the nasal septum which divides the two sites of the nose or the turbinates which filter and humidify air inside of the nose (see septoplasty and turbinate reduction).

[5] Nasal polyps cause nasal obstruction and may block the nasal cavity or sinus drainage pathways. This blockage can cause obstructed breathing, decreased or loss sense of smell, or sinus obstruction leading to infection. Medical management of sinonasal polyps often involves a series of oral steroid and nasal steroid sprays, as well as management of allergy. For those patients whose polyps cannot be completely managed medically, surgery to remove the polyps can be helpful. The polyps are removed from the nose and sinuses in order to alleviate obstruction and restore the normal flow of the sinuses. In appropriate patients, this type of procedure can be done in the office, without the need for general anesthesia.

[6] Nasal fractures often do not require surgical management however when the bones are markedly displaced and breathing is impacted, surgery to return the nasal bones to a straighter position is recommended.  This type of surgery must be performed soon after the date of the injury to avoid healing of the bones in the displaced position.  Once the bones have healed additional corrective nasal surgery may be required.

[7] Balloon sinus dilation is a minimally invasive treatment option for chronic or recurrent sinus infections. The goal of balloon sinus dilation is to reshape anatomy to expand sinus pathways and restore drainage.

[8] Nasal obstruction that fluctuates throughout the day, or moves from one side to another may be related to turbinate hypertrophy.  When medical management of this problem has failed, your doctor may recommend a procedure known as turbinate reduction to reduce the size of the enlarged turbinate and improve nasal breathing.  This procedure can be performed in the office under local anesthesia or in the surgery center.

[9] When antibiotics and medical management are not effective in addressing chronic or recurrent sinus infections, s, sinus surgery may be recommended to enlarge the natural opening to the sinuses. The procedure involves removal of areas of sinus obstruction resulting in improved drainage and administration of topical medication.  Sometimes sinus surgery may require simultaneous repair of the nasal septum which divides the two sites of the nose or the turbinates which filter and humidify air inside of the nose (see septoplasty and turbinate reduction).

[10] Nasal polyps cause nasal obstruction and may block the pathways where the sinuses drain into the nose. This blockage causes the mucus to remain in the sinuses where it can become infected. Medical management of sinonasal polyps often involves a series of steroid pills and nasal steroid sprays. However for those patients whose polyps cannot be completely managed medically, surgery can be helpful. The polyps are removed from the nose and sinuses in order to alleviate obstruction and restore the normal flow of the sinuses. This surgery can be done in a surgery center where patients go home the same day as surgery.

[11] The nasal septum is the partition that divides one side of the nose from the other. It is slightly crooked in most people, however when the septum is so crooked or deviated that it blocks the nasal passage and causes obstructed breathing, a surgical operation called a septoplasty can be performed to alleviate the obstruction.

[12] Suspicious masses of the lips, gums, tongue, salivary glands and roof or floor of mouth may need to be examined and biopsied to determine if they are malignant.

[13] The two primary reasons for tonsil and/or adenoid removal include recurrent infections despite appropriate antibiotic therapy and difficulty breathing due to enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids. Such obstruction to breathing causes snoring and sleep disturbances that can lead to daytime sleepiness in adults and behavioral problems in children.

[14] Vocal cord surgery may be recommended when the vocal cords have benign growths, such as polyps or cysts, or other masses that need to be removed for biopsy.  This procedure is typically done under general anesthesia.

[15] Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a surgical procedure for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, most often in patients who have failed CPAP treatment. During UPPP, the soft tissue of the soft palate and uvula are removed or reshaped. The tonsils and possibly other excess tissue may also be removed, if present. The procedure increases the width of the airway in the throat and may reduce or eliminate obstruction at this level.  UPPP does not address apnea or snoring caused by obstructions at the base of tongue

[16] Fine needle biopsy is a procedure to obtain tissue for microscopic analysis to help make an accurate diagnosis. This technique is generally used for diagnosis in areas such as lymph nodes or cysts in the neck as well as the parotid gland.

[17] Parotidectomy is a surgical operation to remove a large salivary gland (the parotid gland) located in front of and just below the ear. The most common reasons for removal of all or part of this gland include a mass in the gland, chronic infections of the gland or obstruction of the saliva outflow from the gland. Masses in the parotid are most commonly benign, although about 20% of these are malignant.

[18] Thyroidectomy is an operation to remove part or all of the thyroid gland and is most often related to a large mass in the gland, breathing or swallowing difficulties or suspected cancer of the thyroid gland. It is performed in the hospital or surgery center under general anesthesia. The operation usually involves removing one side of the thyroid gland containing the lump. A frozen section (an immediate microscopic reading) may be used to determine if the rest of the thyroid gland should be removed during the same operation.