Ear, Nose, Throat, and Sinus Surgery

Ear, Nose, Throat and Sinus Surgery – Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

• Pediatric otolaryngology
• Head and neck cancer
• Thyroid and parathyroid disease
• Nasal and sinus disorders
• Chronic ear disease
• Sleep medicine

Since many problems and disorders of the head and neck involve more than one structure, ENT specialists must possess a vast array of knowledge and a keen understanding of the complex anatomy of the head and neck.

ENT & Sinus Surgery at Southern Indiana Surgery Center (SISC)

SISC for Ear, Nose, Throat, and Sinus Surgery (Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery) are provided by the

Southern Indiana Physicians Ear, Nose, & Throat
Allergy & Immunology Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
2920 McIntire Dr, Suite 350, Bloomington, IN 47403
812-332-7337

Paul E. Johnson, MD, FACS

Lawrence C. McBride, MD

J.R. N. Sarpa, MD

Joanna H. Watkins, MD

The highly skilled physicians at SISC evaluate and treat a wide range of pediatric and adult ENT conditions which include:

• Eardrum perforations: The eardrum can sustain a perforation, or hole, for many reasons, such as ear infections, cysts, poorly functioning Eustachian tubes, or injury. A perforated eardrum can result in hearing loss, pain, and/or ear drainage. Eardrum perforations can typically be repaired by an outpatient surgical procedure called tympanoplasty, or a tympanomastoidectomy for more chronic ear perforations.
• Recurrent ear infections (Otis media): Ear infections are common problems in infants and toddlers, especially. For patients who experience chronic ear infections, ear tubes can be placed during a tympanostomy outpatient procedure to allow air to enter the ear, preventing infections and restoring hearing.
• Otosclerosis: Conductive hearing loss can occur gradually if the stapes bone within the ear hardens and ceases to vibrate. Hearing loss caused by otosclerosis can be treated at SISC through an outpatient procedure known as stapedectomy.
• Tonsillitis: Children or adults who suffer from chronic sore throats and infections or recurring bouts of strep throat can undergo a tonsillectomy to remove the lymph tissue/tonsils which continually present with infection.
• Adenoid hypertrophy: The adenoids (lymph tissue at the back of the nose) can become enlarged or repeatedly infected, causing ear infections, nasal drainage, and/or difficulty breathing through the nose. Removing the adenoids by performing an adenoidectomy can alleviate these problems and is often performed in conjunction with a tonsillectomy.
• Deviated nasal septum: The cartilage that divides the inside of the nose can expand, bend, or crease in such a way that causes nasal obstruction and difficulty breathing nasally. A septoplasty procedure is commonly performed at SISC to correct a deviated septum.
• Chronic sinusitis: Endoscopic sinus surgery can alleviate symptoms of chronic sinusitis when medication and other allergy treatments are unsuccessful.
• Turbinate hypertrophy (enlarged turbinates): The turbinates consist of finger-like membranes on each side of the nose which moisturize and filter the air that flows within the nasal cavity. Enlarged turbinates can obstruct the nasal airway. The turbinates can be surgically reduced with turbinate reduction surgery (often in conjunction with a septoplasty or sinus surgery).
• Nasal polyps: Benign growths within the sinuses can often appear in patients with allergic rhinitis or recurring sinus infections. Polyps which cause nasal obstruction or decreased sense of smell can be effectively treated with minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery.
• Vocal cord lesion: Growths on the vocal cords can result in chronic hoarseness, pain, irritation, and bleeding. To biopsy or remove vocal cord lesions, your ENT surgeon may perform a direct laryngoscopy or microlaryngoscopy.
• Vocal cord paralysis: Paralyzed vocal cords may be treated with a vocal cord injection during laryngoscopy or with vocal cord implants (laryngoplasty).
• Snoring/sleep apnea: Depending on the cause, snoring and sleep apnea may be treated with such surgical procedures as tonsillectomy, uvulectomy, hyoid suspension, or radiofrequency tongue base surgery.
• Neck masses: Glands, tumors, and lymph nodes may be involved in a neck mass. Neck dissection, needle biopsy, parotidectomy, excisional biopsy (superficial or deep), or submandibular gland excision may be recommended to diagnose and/or treat a neck mass.
• Thyroid nodules, goiters, and disorders: Most thyroid growths are benign, may cause little to no symptoms and require no treatment. For thyroid nodules or goiters which are large and/or causing symptoms, a thyroidectomy may be necessary. Depending on the cause and severity of the thyroid problems, thyroid surgery may include total removal, subtotal removal (most of the gland), or one lobe removal (hemithyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy).
• Parathyroid gland disorders: Disorders affecting the parathyroid gland can be successfully treated by a parathyroidectomy (removal of the parathyroid glands) which can be performed in a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck and ENT Surgeries Performed at Southern Indiana Surgery Center

The surgeons at Southern Indiana Surgery Center are experienced at performing all manners of ear, nose, and throat surgical procedures and otolaryngology-head and neck surgeries.

Common procedures performed at SISC

Nasal and sinus procedures:

• Nasal valve reconstruction
• Septoplasty
• Septoplasty with turbinate reduction
• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
• Nasal fracture reduction (closed or open)
• Rhinoplasty
• Adenoidectomy

Ear procedures:

• Ear tubes (tympanostomy)
• Tympanoplasty
• Tympanomastoidectomy
• Stapedectomy
• Myringoplasty

Throat procedures:

• Tonsillectomy
• Tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy (T&A)
• Uvulectomy
• Hyoid suspension
• Radiofrequency tongue base surgery

Larynx procedures:

• Laryngoscopy
• Microlaryngoscopy
• Laryngoplasty
• Esophagoscopy

Neck procedures:

• Excisional biopsy (superficial or deep)
• Parotidectomy
• Submandibular gland excision
• Lymph node biopsy/excision

Thyroid and parathyroid procedures:

• Thyroidectomy (partial or total)
• Thyroid lobectomy
• Parathyroidectomy

Southern Indiana Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center offering high quality, compassionate outpatient care. Our surgical staff has a broad range of experience and training in all manners of ENT and otolaryngology-head and neck surgical procedures.

Disclaimer: These pages are not intended to provide medical or surgical advice or physician instruction on medical care or treatment. If you are a patient, consult with your doctor about treatment options that may be appropriate for your medical condition.